Visitor Survey at the Kyoto International Manga Museum

Transcription

Preface
Manga, Exhibitions, Museums
Manga Museums in Japan
In 2009, two significant projects related to manga
However, another manga and museum related feature
were carried out in European museums: Manga: Professor
in Japan should be noted here; that of the Manga Museums,
1
at the British
which are constructed for collecting, preserving and
Museum in London, and Cartoons: The Louvre Invites
exhibiting uniquely manga related materials. Throughout
Munakata s British Museum Adventure
2
at the Musée du Louvre in Paris. While
the country, fifty to sixty institutions that can be said to fall
the former concentrated on the new work of Hoshino
under this category have been established, mainly as a
Yukinobu set in the British Museum, the latter invited five
community cultural center of the cities they reside in. The
comic artists to create artwork using the Louvre as their
oldest having been opened in 1966, and two or three of
primary setting, among which one of them was Araki
them constructed as early as the 70s and 80s, the majority
Hirohiko, a Japanese manga artist popular for his series
of them were constructed after 1990. To be more precise,
JoJo no Kimy na B ken (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure).
there are two peak periods in which they began to crop up;
Indeed, exhibiting manga is one of the hot topics for
first around the mid-90s and the second at the beginning of
museums in Europe today. Not only does it challenge the
the 2000s.
Comic-Strip Art
established exhibiting method in museums, it also raises
After Tezuka s death in 1989, there were discussions
questions on the distinction between so called high culture
among related people on how to inherit his works as well
and low culture, an agenda somewhat untouched but
as the manga culture of postwar Japan, leading to the
tacitly understood inside the museums walls.
Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum in Takarazuka city, which
In Japan, the trend of holding manga exhibitions in
opened in 1994 and is a pioneer in this field. Some other
museums and department stores had already become
cities followed the idea of Takarazuka in making a manga
prominent by around 2000, but it was perhaps not until
related cultural institution crowning artists that come from
2008 that contemporary artists and their works had begun
their cities. The second boom is apparently related to the
to be featured; the touring of Inoue Takehiko: The Last
expectation towards Cool Japan. Most of them tend to be
3
had been so successful that it inspired
constructed for the purpose of regional promotion and to
both publishers and contemporary manga artists to become
achieve positive economic effect form soft power
involved in museum business. In recent years, exhibitions
contents.
Manga Exhibition
4
featuring Araki Hirohiko, Otomo Katsuhiro and Oda
5
Eiichiro have especially attracted attention.
H o w e v e r, w h i l e t h e J a p a n e s e g o v e r n m e n t s
campaigning of Cool Japan and Japanese popular culture
as soft power have contributed greatly to the recent
popularity of manga in and outside Japan, manga has since
long been a medium deeply integrated in the Japanese
people s everyday lives; not only kids and teenagers at
school, but also grown-ups read them in the commuting
train. It is one of the most common and popular media
1 5 November 2009 to 3 January 2010.
2 22 January 2009 to 13 April 2009.
3 24 May 2008 to 6 July 2008 at The Ueno Royal Museum
(Tokyo); 11 April 2009 to 14 June 2009 at the Contemporary Art
Museum Kumamoto; 2 Jan 2010 to 14 March 2010 at the Suntory
Museum Tempozan (Osaka); 3 May 2010 to 13 June 2010 at the
Sendai Mediatheque.
4 A Japanese manga artist best known for his work, Akira.
5 A Japanese manga artist best known for his work, One Piece.
among people. And it is from this point of view that we
have carried out our projects focusing on some manga
related cultural institutions.
Leaving aside the boom, we know little about how
these manga museums and exhibitions are actually doing,
and how they are being consumed by the visitors. In fact,
Preface
5
when we consider the fact that manga is a mundane
everyday object we see everywhere, one must raise the
question of why is it necessary to have them inside
museums. There is also the question of how manga is
actually represented inside the museum. Because manga
takes the format of a book, which one needs to open and
consume personally, exhibiting them in public spaces is a
challenging task.
Moreover, most of these institutions are suffering in
terms of visitor number and financial cuts, but it seems that
what should really be discussed in order to improve the
situation remains untouched.
Akatsuka Fujio Memoriall Hall
Manga Museums and Their Audiences
Our team has conducted audience research, in the
form of visitor surveys, in order to examine the manga
consumption of audiences within the manga museums.
This project was carried out with several objectives in
mind.
− To understand what the actual visitors are doing,
hence understanding what consumption of manga
involves.
JOJO Exhibition Posters in Roppongi Hills Second Floor,
Tokyo
− To see the scope of what the manga experience
truly is.
− To think about manga related cultural institutions
beyond the argument of Cool Japan and regional
promotion.
− To further the discussion of manga audience
beyond the usual otaku culture argument.
From 2009 to 2012, we have conducted audience
research on three sites: the Kyoto International Manga
Museum (September, 2009), the Osamu Tezuka Manga
Museum (August-September, 2011), and the Hiroshima
Manga City Library (September, 2011). Here, three very
different types of institutions were chosen in order to
Mizuki Shigeru Road in Tottori Prefecture. The statue of a
famous character Nezumi Otoko (Mouse Man) in Mizuki
manga
examine closely what the combination of manga (its
characteristic as medium) and museum space would bring
With the survey in Kyoto International Manga
forth. Using methods combined with tracking and timing,
Museum as the starting point of discussion, the three
sojourn time survey, questionnaire survey and staff
papers compare the results while elaborating on different
interviews, and by comparing the three surveys across
topics as necessary. For example, while the survey at the
institutions, we have tried to understand how manga is
Kyoto International Manga Museum analyzes in detail the
represented in different types of institutions, and ultimately
use of space by visitors inside museums and their way of
how that has affected the visitors behavior and their
consuming manga, the survey at the Hiroshima Manga City
method of manga consumption.
Library sheds light on how the library space promotes or
6
demotes a certain way of reading (or consuming) manga
within the space. In the survey at the Osamu Tezuka
Manga Museum, we focused on the relation of manga
museums and regional promotion by further developing the
discussion of the visitors behavior patterns observed inside
the museum.
You will find that each paper highlights the
intertwined relation of manga, museums and their visitors,
that are hardly noticed or discussed among these
institutions. It is our belief that contributing to manga
culture is essential for such institutions to be sustainable.
Preface
7
Visitor Survey at the Kyoto International
Manga Museum:
Considering Museums and Popular Culture
ITO Yu
Researcher, Kyoto Seika University International Manga Research Center, Kyoto International Manga Museum
TANIGAWA Ryuichi
Assistant Professor, Center for Integrated Area Studies, Kyoto University
MURATA Mariko
Associate Professor, Faculty of Sociology, Kansai University
YAMANAKA Chie
Associate Professor, Faculty of Human Studies, Jin-ai University
Translated by Cathy SELL
available wall space, from which visitors can select manga
to read within the building. Furthermore, as the museum
I. Scope of the study
holds several exhibitions throughout the year as well as
What can be born of the blend between popular
lectures and symposiums by artists and researchers, it
culture and museums? Since the 1990s, beginning with
exhibits and introduces manga culture from various
anime and manga, films and music, we have come see an
perspectives.
upsurge of the phenomenon in which popular culture finds
What comes of having manga, which are usually
itself within the museum context. Originally popular
consumed quite privately, within the very public space of
culture was regarded as a privately consumed media, or a
the museum? How is it received by visitors to the
communal hobby. In Japan in particular, it has been treated
museum? What do the visitors do in the museum? There
as such and movements towards a public forum have
are the things we wish to examine in the paper.
always been met with opposition. Moreover, the strength of
the public museum's role or indeed raison d'être as an
educational institution has led to a long hesitation over
II. Survey Outline
substantial dealings with popular culture (with an
exception of private small-scale museums with hobby
As an example case of a popular culture museum, the
collectibles). However at present these arenas are certainly
Kyoto International Manga Museum (henceforth MM) was
coming closer within reach; and this is bringing forth a
selected for a visitor survey. In order to fully understand
new meaning for both popular culture and for museums.
the visitors utilization of the space, a tracking survey was
To take the Kyoto International Manga Museum as a
undertaken observing visitors throughout the building.
case in point (see photos 1-4), it is housed in a repurposed
A tracking survey involves tracing the visitors path of
building of a former school and thereby attracts many
movement in order to examine their navigation of the
visitors. In addition to local residents, it draws in a large
museum space. It is a traditional visitor survey technique
number of tourists for its local Kyoto character. Also in
used by museums. The observer draws the route taken by
reflection of the rising interest in Japanese manga from
abroad, international visitors to the museum account for
over 10 percent of all patrons. Over 300,000 manga are
held in the museum's collection, with 50,000 volumes of
manga shelved on the Wall of Manga covering every
1
1 Tracking surveys were first used in museums by psychologist
Arthur Melton and his colleagues in the 1930s. (Melton. Problems
of Installation in Museums of Art. American Association of
Museums, 1935.) Visitor surveys began to be implemented in
Japan in the 1960s, tracking surveys at that time were carried out
by academics such as Ishida Seiichi and Shiina Noritaka in the
N a t i o n a l M u s e u m o f N a t u r e a n d S c i e n c e , i n To k y o .
15
Photo.1: Kyoto International Manga Museum exterior
Photo.2: Visitors absorbed in reading manga inside.
Readers commonly also sit on the floor and stairs.
Photo.3: S p e c i a l e x h i b i t i o n
Photo.4: The children's library an ideal space for idle
relaxation while reading manga
visitors onto a floor plan of the target area by hand, and
behaviour within the building and their utilization of the
uses symbols to denote places where the subject has
space, and can shed a spotlight on detailed movement and
stopped and their direction of gaze. Further points of
unconscious actions which cannot be captured using
2
3
interest are recorded in memorandum. It is an extremely
interviews or questionnaires. (On the other hand, tracking
effective method which allows understanding of visitors
surveys cannot measure the subject's thoughts.)
An important feature of this is that the target area was
( Hakubutsukan ni okeru kanran kōdō seseki Hakubutsukan
Kenkyu 37(2), 1964. pp6-11.) However, visitor surveys in
Japanese institutions remained scarce until the 1980s, within
which there were not many tracking surveys performed. They
were reportedly carried out in modest scale by researchers of
architectural planning and design systems (for example Nomura
Tota, Tsuboyama Yukio, Terasawa Tsutomu, etc.) and exhibition
production companies in the 1990. Incidentally, with the 1920s30s shift towards a more methodological fieldwork approach in
the cultural and social sciences such as Japanese sociology and
folklore studies etc. scholars of the k gengaku (study of modern
social phenomena) group, including Kon Wajiro and Yoshida
Kenkichi, conducted studies in which they shadowed townspeople
and recorded their actions, illustrating that this method is
applicable across fields.
2 It is worth pointing out that nowadays tracking people's
movements without permission may be questionable from a
privacy viewpoint. This is something which must be judged on an
individual museum basis, but for the present survey subjects were
not specifically informed of observation in an attempt to preserve
uninfluenced behaviour. It is the position of the researchers and
institution that privacy of the visitors has not been infringed upon
as no identifying characteristics of individuals have been
recorded. Furthermore, notification of the survey was posted on a
pillar in the entranceway to MM and the survey was undertaking
with utmost care to ensure that the subjects were unaware of being
observed. Additionally, in cases where the subject became aware
of observation, the surveyors were instructed to immediately stop
the survey at that point, and calmly explain the research actions to
the visitor; however no such cases were reported.
16
the entire building. Generally, the scope of most tracking
surveys is limited to a single gallery and only records the
visitors behaviour within the one exhibition. This is
because the surveys are conducted in order to judge the
merits and demerits of a particular exhibition. Conducting
facility-wide surveys would also involve excessive labor
and stress. However taking into account the purpose of the
present study it was essential to observe visitors behaviour
throughout the entire building.
The survey was carried out as a joint project of the
four researchers Murata, Yamanaka, Tanigawa, and Ito, the
latter being a research staff member of the museum and full
4
cooperation was obtained from the museum. A pilot study
th
th
was conducted between the 18 to the 19 of October 2009
by the researchers, followed by a briefing to the observers
th
on Friday the 13 of November. Then the survey was
th
carried out over a one week period from Saturday the 14
3 For further reference to related and other survey methods, see
Hein (1998) or Murata (2003).
4 Carried out in 2009 with the support of Jin-ai University internal
collaborative research funding.
Table.1: Longest, shortest, and average length of visits observed.
Data no.
Stay length
Arrival
Departure
Category
Age
Gender
Shortest
#54
0.15
10:30
10:45
M
50-55
Male
Longest
#50
7.35
10:15
17:55
L
30-35
Female
Average stay length:
1.53
Average data based on 61 of the 68 cases observed.
nd
to Sunday the 22 of November, aligned to start with the
they entered the special exhibition and spent roughly 30
opening of the special exhibition The DNA of Sunday &
minutes looking it over.
Magazine : Fifty Years of Shonen Manga Magazines.
5
These categories were consistent with the image
The survey period encompassed both weekdays and the
commonly held by museum staff of visitors to the museum.
weekend. On each day the observers who carried out the
That is, they recognize that there are two types of visitors,
6
survey (a total of six people) were broken into three
those who come to view the museum exhibits and those
groups for data collection. A total of 68 visitors were
who come to read manga.
7
observed. As can be understood from the fact that an even
Additionally, the data uncovered the fact that the L
number of 100 tracking studies could not be reached in
and M type of visitors are not completely separate, as there
spite of having had three teams collect data over a week
is a set of visitors who display both behavioural patterns,
long period, there was a high number visitors who stayed
which will be described as the complex (C) category (see
for a long period of time within the museum. (See table.1)
figure 3). C type visitors were often observed coming to
the library as a group, or accompany other visitors and
waiting for them. During their time engaging in M mode,
they will often shift momentarily into L mode and then
III. Survey Results
return to M mode.
Several patterns emerged under analysis of the survey
The above three types were to some extent
data. Firstly, that museum visitor behaviour patterns can be
unsurprising. However what the data from the study has
divided into categories; that of library (L) and museum
made clear is that there are patterns of behaviour other than
(M) type visitors. The former pattern is demonstrated by
M, L and C.
visitors who principally spend their time in the museum
For example, the visitor whose path is outlined in
reading manga, recognizing MM as a library. Whereas the
figure 4. This visitor moved several times between inside
latter display a pattern of recognizing MM as a museum,
the building, and the outside ground, displaying a path
treating the 50,000 volume Wall of Manga as well as the
different to that of the M, L and C patterns. Furthermore,
building itself, and of course the gallery spaces as an
the visitor barely reads manga out in the ground, instead
exhibition. For example, figure 1 illustrates a typical L type
spending her time playing with her mobile phone, with her
pattern. The visitor traverses the bookcase area near the
calendar book open. In short, the purpose in her visit was
entrance, reads manga without moving any further into the
in of itself spending time in the MM space.
8
building and then leaves. In contrast figure 2 is a typical M
Next, the case observed in figure 5 is an example of a
type pattern of behaviour. It illustrates a path in which the
visitor who spent one s time in the childrens library. But
visitor constantly moves around the building without
he did not read manga there. He spends his time lying
spending a long time in any particular place, during which
down, reading picture books and watching the television
5 Held from the 10th October – 20th December, 2009.
6 Part-time employed staff members who were university students
and graduate students (primarily from universities within Kyoto)
and who had knowledge of social research.
7 However observers lost sight mid-survey of 4 males among the
32 total males surveyed, and 3 females among the 36 total females
surveyed. Also it should be noted that in accordance with the
purpose of this survey to observe as large as possible an amount
of behaviour patterns, sampling based on any conditions for nonselection was not carried out, therefore this data is not
quantitative. Furthermore, classifying attributes were not obtained
from the subjects directly (rather, solely through observation) and
therefore are for reference purposed only.
that was showing anime.
These kinds of visitors cannot be assigned to any of
the categories M, L or C. That is, the data tells us that there
are visitors who use the library in ways that cannot be
explained by these three patterns. In this paper, we will
refer to the behaviour pattern of these visitors as park (P)
8 The museum has converted the old playground area of the school
into a courtyard coved with artificial grass, into which visitors are
allowed to take books from the Wall of Manga outside of the
building to read.
17
Figure.1: A typical example of an L type visitor's movement path. (Tracking data 66)
Figure.2-1: A typical example of an M type visitor's movement path. (Tracking data 68, first floor path)
18
Figure.2-2: A typical example of an M type visitor's movement path. (Tracking data 68, second floor path)
M
C
L
Figure.3: The relationships of M, L, and C
19
Figure.4-1: An example of a P type visitor's movement path. (Tracking data 04, first floor path)
Figure.4-2: An example of a P type visitor's movement path. (Tracking data 04, second floor path)
20
Figure.5: An example of a P type visitor's movement path. (Tracking data 44)
Library-style use
strong
weak
M
Sightseeing style,
exhibition viewing
purpose
C
Composite
of M&L
L
weak
Museum-style use
strong
Immersion in
manga reading
P
Park, chidrens’
library, family
holiday use
Figure.6: Relationship map of the 4 categories, M, L, C, and P. The category P is located on the weaker end of both the
museum use and library use axes.
21
M
C
L
PLM
PM
PL
P
P
Figure.7: The relationships of M, L, C, and P. The category P may exist within M, C, and L, and yet it also explains cases
which cannot be classified by them.
Table.2: Statistical data for M, L, C, and P.
21
L (Library)
Foreigners
Group visitors*
Special exhibition visitors
13yrs & above
16
Male
9
0
8
0
12yrs & below
5
Female
12
22
M (Museum)
Foreigners
Group visitors*
13yrs & above
22
Male
10
9
16
9
12yrs & below
0
Female
12
Foreigners
Group visitors*
13yrs & above
6
Male
8
0
9
0
12yrs & below
6
Female
4
Foreigners
Group visitors*
13yrs & above
13
Male
6
0
9
3
12yrs & below
0
Female
7
12
P (Holiday/Park)
13
C (Complex)
Total
Breakdown
68
Foreigners
Group visitors
13yrs & above
57
Male
33
9
42
12
12yrs & below
11
Female
35
*More than two people.
type as they behave as though they are in a public park.
with a northern annexe. Presently MM takes up both of
There are a relatively large amount of visitors that fit into
these buildings. Having been a school, the site also has an
the P category, making apparent a diverse range of
outdoor playground area for the physical health of children.
behavioural patterns. (See figures 6 and 7, and table 2)
Accordingly, the two separate architectural spaces of the
In truth, the P category could not exist without the M
and L category. M and L compete for the same ground,
school buildings and the external ground form the anterior
of MM. (Refer to figures 8, 9, and 10)
mutually-energizing one another, and yet simultaneously
Thus the site is characteristic for its architectural
suppressing one another. Meanwhile this space is rounded
reclamation of the building taking the former elementary
out by P. This form of conflict, as will be discussed is
school as a base pattern into a museum. Usually, museum
caused by a combination of the following three factors:
design stresses the importance of interior space and
The spatial contradictions of MM's architecture; the
architectural allowance for visitor movement between and
complexity of MM's founding principles; and the
within spaces. It was hence essential for MM to be
characteristics of the manga experience.
refurbished as such. A new connection was built between
the main building and northern annexe via an atrium,
IV. The Spatial Contradictions of MM's
Architecture
modified to form a tangent point that also provides the only
access to the outdoor ground, this in turn created a focus on
the internal architectural space. Next the flow of movement
The main building of the former Tatsuike Elementary
was addressed with an elevator installed in the atrium and a
School was built in 1929, and was then added to in 1937
connecting bridge added between the buildings on the
22
second floor, thereby improving the available movement
without ornamentation. And so in spite of the atrium
paths across the two architectural spaces horizontally and
claiming the central space with its modern architecture, its
vertically, as well as internally and externally.
function is inverted by the spatial syntax hierarchy of
On top of improving movement accessibility, the
passages and staircases in the historical buildings.
atrium forms a central access point for visitor paths. In
The current way in which the buildings are utilized is
addition to providing access to the original main building
also of interest. The grey toned areas on figures 8 to 10 are
and northern annexe the installation of the elevator has
closed off from the visiting public, which limits the
added a method of vertical movement and has become an
museum space in the historical, architecturally impressive
important visitor path option. The atrium also connects the
main building to a small area, with more weight given to
original school gymnasium and outdoor ground, and some
the northern annexe. The small public area within the main
spacious restroom facilities. However in spite of the
building gives it the atmosphere of a corner space; one
atrium's design having been constructed to guarantee its
could even say it creates an unbalanced utilisation of space.
central access function, there are simultaneous architectural
Additionally, the main building entrance onto Ryogae
features acting in contradiction of that purpose.
Street which was used in the time of the elementary school
Let us consider the contradictory nature of MM's
is not used by MM, instead a new entrance has been
internal visitor routes. The west side of the atrium is a
created along Karasuma Street shifting the incoming flow
passage between the buildings which in its original state
of visitors across to the east end of the northern annexe.
would certainly have been the principal path that students
This has created a sudden reversal between the main
would have taken into school. Here, a small staircase (W)
building and the northern annexe, and in essence has
remains that betrays the logical movement path through the
repositioned the main building behind the ground. With the
atrium, although this puzzling space does add to the
main building turned into a corner space, the resulting
vertical and horizontal movement possibilities of the
complicated building structure has also created
building. Another inconsistency is MM's highlighted Wall
infrequently used areas within the building.
of Manga . While the original intent of the atrium was to
In addition to the aforementioned hierarchy of the
act as a conduit passage, every wall surface is covered in
staircases based on architectural design, not all of them
shelving, transforming the area into a space that invites
proceed from the first floor all the way up to the third.
visitors to stop and read.
Furthermore there is an artificial restraint requiring visitors
The next contradiction against the central movement
to return to the central area creating a dead-end path within
function of the atrium relates to the staircases, of which
in the building. In short, the irregularity of the staircases
MM has four in total. The staircase in the main building
connection between the floors has resulted in a
(S) is the largest, with arches, ornamental embellishments
complicated labyrinth spatial arrangement.
on the central pillar and a triptych of sash windows. The
To summarise the two main points, firstly, the
space feels aesthetically complete in and of itself. The next
detached construction of the two former school buildings
size of staircase is the two on either end of the northern
and the external space of the playground form an
annexe (E and N) covered in intricate chequered tiles. Of
architectural predecessor of MM's structural space. The
which the staircase at the eastern end (E) is brightly lit
refurbishments of MM have incorporated and integrated
through south-facing windows, while the other (N) is not
the two former school buildings both horizontally and
so well lit. Lastly, the small staircase in the nook of the
vertically, while simultaneously reorganising the spatial
atrium (W) is insular to the building, and without windows
configuration of visitor traffic flow into a central conduit
it gives the impression of being an auxiliary staircase. The
via the atrium.
staircases seem aesthetically disjointed from the central
Nevertheless, second to this, while under the present
space of the atrium with varied architecture among
spatial construction the atrium serves a central function,
themselves. The cause of this variation stems from the
this is reversed by an existing hierarchy in the architectural
different construction times between the main building and
construction of the historical buildings staircases and
northern annexe. The main building was constructed in
corridors. With these elements alongside the current way
1929 and was built with a lingering, heavily stylistic
that the building space is being utilised, the unbalance in
architectural atmosphere. Contrastively, the 1937
frequency of use between the area made available to
constructed northern annexe has a more functional design
visitors and the richness of the architectural space has
23
Figure.8: 1F floor plan.
Figure.9: 2F floor plan.
24
Figure.10: Basement and 3F floor plan.
created a labyrinth for visitors, leading to inversion and
conceived as a facility to collect, manage and organize
confusion. Perhaps an exquisite balance between order and
manga for the purpose of providing primary source
the labyrinth is being produced here.
material for manga research. Importantly, at this time the
This has also had a large hand in the evolution of the
concept of manga as a primary resource was not assumed
P category visitor behaviour. When viewing MM as a
to include original artwork, but rather manga as mass
museum, one's path becomes interrupted at points limiting
produced media, namely that is, manga magazines and
their movements; yet when viewed as a library, it rather
tank bon (collected volumes) were the envisaged contents
facilitates path movements too much, and immobility of
of the museum's collection. In European comics related
space is not given priority. Accordingly through the
institutions, the collection of comics that are accumulated,
limitation and constraints on both functions, the formation
preserved, and classified fundamentally consist of original
of category P can be observed.
artworks. Consequently, visitors to the museum from
European countries feel that something is out of place upon
V. The Complexity of MM's Founding
Principles
encountering the volumes of manga lined up on display as
museum material in MM. However, Japanese visitors do
not especially hold a sense of discomfort in regards to the
Having said all this, visitor behaviour is not
mass-printed medium of manga being on placed on display
determined by the physical components of a building
in a museum, or treated as museum material. The relevant
alone. It is important to consider the organizational
background behind this is the difference in social position
structure of the Kyoto International Manga Museum, of
attached to manga between cultures.
how the utilization of the building was intended and how
Additionally, MM (as akin to the Centre Pompidou in
that is related to the visitors who we have described using
France for example) differs from most normal facilities of
the P category.
its type as it performs various parallel functions. The
MM was intended from its inception as a
functions of both museum and library co-exist in the same
comprehensive facility incorporating the dual functions of
space. In other words, the founding principles of MM
library and museum. This double-layered role is not
attempt to accommodate both the museum-style freedom of
unrelated to the fact that the material they deal with is
movement, as well as library-style stationary practices, and
manga. From the beginning the manga museum was
in actuality this has resulted in limited facilitation for
25
movement and stationary behaviour.
Where the architectural features of MM and its
founding principles intersect, the meaning of the space
becomes increasing vague, making it easier for the P
behaviour category to emerge.
transformation of MM's public space into their own private
space. Thus we do actually see a similar behaviour with
those in a manga café.
Conversely, one can argue that the attitude which the
group visitors to MM hold towards manga differs from that
of manga cafés (which affords library-style reading). For
example rather than assiduously reading manga like the
VI. The Manga Experience
persons described above, users who visit in groups are
often seen flipping through books, standing in front of the
The emergence of the P category of behaviour must
shelves as they talk together, engaging with life and
also be discussed in relation to what we call the manga
sharing manga with each other – often employing the term
experience .
nostalgic to exalt a certain type of affinity. In fact, this
We must not assume that reading a manga in the
library is equivalent to reading it elsewhere. The way in
kind of behaviour is what reading manga involves all
along.
which we read manga in a library (perhaps sitting correctly
Further study for identifying group visitors to the
in a chair) is only a part of, or one particular way of
museum (including people without interest in manga, who
consuming manga. After all, reading manga is associated
accompany family members) is needed in order to
with occasionally talking to others, eating sweets, and
understand more about the existence of P behaviour
lazing idly about. In light of this, manga is fundamentally
patterns.
an experience that cannot truly be defined by the verb
read, and in turn, an experience such as this can be seen as
the driving force behind the emergence of the behaviour
VII. Future Prospects
patterns represented by P.
To further consider the nature of such manga
While we have presented the view that the P pattern of
experience outside the reading , it helps to look at the
visitor behaviour is unique to MM in this paper, it might be
behaviour of visitor groups that come to the museum.
suggested that the whole argument can comfortably be
Because of our survey method, the observer targeted and
explained with the notion of forum , a concept coined by
followed only one individual even when they arrive in
Duncan Cameron. It represents the idea that museums are
groups; thus ultimately the interpersonal relationship
not a sanctuary for the intellectual class to view and
between the individuals within the group was not recorded.
appreciate objects, but rather a space to engage visitors in
However the way in which many groups, such a families
proactive dialogue and learning. However P differs from
etc, drift apart and reunite during their museum visit may
the forum which premises a museum . As we have seen
be considered an important component of their utilization
thus far, P emerges where both M(museum-oriented) and
of MM's space, and thus provides us with a variety of
L(library-oriented) coexist and compete for the same
9
manga experiences . For example, when a group becomes
space. This phenomenon cannot be explained as an
gradually separated inside the museum they tend to display
extension of museum theory alone. Accordingly, when
a L pattern behaviour. Contrastively, in observances of M
considering where MM should head for as a cultural
behaviour patterns there is a tendency towards group
institution, what to do with P becomes the key. There will
cohesion, and they stick together throughout their visit.
be a need for comparison to visitors of other museums that
Those who have never visited MM frequently
deal with manga such as the Kawasaki City Museum,
misconceive the institution as an enormous manga café
Osamu Tezuka Museum, and the Ghibli Museum, and so
(manga kissa). This conception is formed on the premise
forth.
that manga is a personal media, to be read by oneself
without any interaction with the others. Certainly, the
typical L type visitor concentrates on reading, completely
entering into their own personal world. Users who read
while listening to music on headphones can be seen
frequently throughout the building, appearing to affect a
26
10
The present survey has taken the example of the
9 Cameron, Duncan F. The Museum, a Temple or the Forum?
Curator vol. 14(1), 1971, pp11-24
10 In April of 2010 the interior of MM underwent large-scale
renovations. The present study took place before these
renovations; therefore an analysis of the museum comprising an
evaluation of the renewed space is needed, and is recommended
as a topic of future research.
Kyoto International Manga Museum to conduct a
foundation study examining the nature of the relationship
between popular culture and museums. In order to deepen
this question in the future, further attention is required
toward popular culture's place of origin. And we must
continue to question what the public/private nature of
popular culture refers to, and in what way and with whom
popular culture is shared.
References
Aoki Masao. Kenchiku keikaku 8 gakk I. Ed. Yoshitake
Yasumi. Maruzen Publishers, 1976.
Cameron, Duncan F., The Museum, a Temple or the Forum?
Curator, vol. 14(1), 1971, pp.11-24.
Gendaifūzoku kenkyūkai. Ed. Manga kanky :
Gendaif zoku'92. Libro Publishing, 1993.
Hein, George E., Learning in the Museum, Routledge, 1998.
Ishita, Saeko. "Dare no tame no manga shakaigaku: Manga
dokusho-ron saikō." Manga no Shakkaigaku. Ed.
Miyahara, Koujiro and Ed. Ogino, Masahiro.
Sekaishisosha, 2001.
Ito, Yu. "Kōgengaku de minzokugaku suru toiukoto: Kon
Wajiro, rojō kansatsu gakkai, yagai katsudō kenkyūkai no
'nichijō seikatsu kenkū' sahō." Katari to jissen no bunka,
soshite hihy . Cultures/Critiques Editorial Committee,
2003, pp.139-178.
Ito, Yu; Yamanaka, Chie. "Manga o tsūjita kokusai kōryū e no
kitai: Monash daigaku no jirei kara." Manga Kenkyu
[Manga Studies]. Japan Society for Studies in Cartoon
and Comics, 2006, pp.83-94.
Kawashima, Tomoo. "Taishō/Shōwa senzenki no Kyoto-shi ni
okeru tekkin konkuriito shōgakkō kenchiku no seiritsu to
sono tokuchō ni tsuite: Taishō 12 nen kara Shōwa 9 nen
made no kikan"Journal of Architecture and Planning, No.
508. Architectural Institute of Japan, 1998, pp.209-216.
Kon, Wajiro. Ed. Fujimori Terunobu. K gengaku ny mon.
Chikuma Shobo, 1987.
Murata, Mariko. "Raikansha kenkyū no keifu to sono kadai:
Nihon ni okeru hakubutsukan komyunikeeshon no tenkai
no tame no ikkōsatu." Bulletin of Japan Museum
Management Academy. No.7, 2003, pp.95-104.
Omote, Tomoyuki; Kanazawa, Kodama; Murata, Mariko.
Manga to my jiamu ga deau toki. Rinsen Shoten, 2009.
Tanigawa, Ryuichi. "Kioku kara tsumugi dasareru kenchiku."
Seisan kenkyu. Issue.57, No.3, Institute of Industrial
Science, University of Tokyo, 2005, pp.13-17.
Yoshida, Kenkichi and Fujimori Terunobu. Eds. Yoshida
Kenkichi Collections I: K gengaku no tanj . Chikuma
Shobo, 1986.
27
Visitor Survey at the Osamu Tezuka
Manga Museum:
Do Manga Museums Really Promote Regional Development
ITO Yu
TANIGAWA Ryuichi
MURATA Mariko
YAMANAKA Chie
how manga as their raw material is dealt within this kind of
institution, and of how these are received by the visitors to
the museum, is essential. Our discussion will be based on
What sort of meaning do community cultural centers
that deal with manga hold for regional areas and society at
the results of a visitor survey which was undertaken on-site
at the Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum.
large? Since the 1990s a number of manga related
The Takarazuka City Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum
institutions have been built with the chief purpose of
in South Hyogo Prefecture (hereafter Tezuka Museum)
bringing about the revitalization of regional cities, wards,
opened in 1994. After Tezuka s death in 1989 various
towns and villages. In the background, there was often the
institutions had expressed interest in making bids for a
expectation towards soft power , especially the beneficial
memorial museum, but Tezuka Production Co. Ltd
economic result which can be acquired through the manga
(hereafter Tezuka Pro) in accordance with the will of the
connection by an influx of people and money to the region.
bereaved family, decided to establish a facility in the city
There was a rapid increase in facilities of this type, before
of Takarazuka where Tezuka had lived for 20 years, backed
and after the year 2000, including the Ishinomori
by the city council as well as public opinion from the
Mangattan Museum (Miyagi Prefecture, Ishinomaki City,
townspeople. Construction planning advanced
2001), Mizuki Shigeru Memorial Museum (Tottori
comparatively smoothly and from the outset a location
Prefecture, Sakaiminato City, 2003) and Gosho Aoyama
beside the amusement park Tezuka Family Land was
Manga Factory (Tottori Prefecture, Tohaku-gun Hokuei-
chosen in the hope of effecting synergy.
1
cho, 2007) .
City officials are directly involved with the museum
In this paper, the Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum, a
administration: they do not appoint any designated
thematic museum in Takarazuka City which specializes on
administrators externally. The museum is currently
the works of Tezuka will be taken as a pioneering example
managed by 6 city officials (including full-time and part-
of this kind of manga facility. In order to discuss the role
time staff), the reception and cleaning staff are outsourced,
and function that the museum performs in regards to the
and all exhibition planning and production is conducted by
local region and community, a detailed analysis of exactly
Tezuka Pro. Additionally the museum shop and café are
also managed and operated by Tezuka Pro. The Tezuka
1 There were actually two peak periods in which municipal manga
related cultural institutions began to crop up, around the mid-90s
and at the beginning of the 2000s. It was during the latter boom
that there was a real expectation of achieving positive economic
effect from soft power contents.
Museum as an organisation of the city comes under the
Culture Industry Section of the Tourism Planning
Visitor Survey at the Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum
29
2
Division , and while originally envisioned as a social
responsible on how they deal with manga as culture.
educational facility, the museum has moreover come to be
Without upfront questioning of what kind of effects or
situated as a facility which aims to increase positive
challenges that the museum is presented with in practice by
economic effect though its function as a tourist attraction.
dealing with manga, manga related cultural institutions
In light of these expectations from the city, how is
cannot be instigated as the trigger for regional
regional promotion developed within the Tezuka
revitalisation. Through this paper, we would like to
Museum? On their opening year the museum was off to a
consider what is needed to plan a sustainable manga related
good start with over 500,000 visitors recorded, however
cultural institution.
the following year this figure had halved and it has
3
The research team's purpose in undertaking the
continued to decline since then . The museum was
visitors survey has been to consider the relationship
redesigned in 2003, but with Tezuka Family Land closing
between community cultural centers and popular culture
down the same year, no great effect was seen on the
(with manga as a representative example), and the survey
museum attendance figures. As the Tezuka Museum
has been carried out in the Kyoto International Manga
operates financially through a combination of the
Museum in 2009, as well as the Takarazuka City Osamu
admission fee and city funds, a decline in visitors means an
Tezuka Manga Museum and the Hiroshima City Manga
increased cost to the city. As the city increased its
Library in 2011. This paper focuses the discussion on the
contribution of funds, voices questioning the meaning of
Tezuka Museum with appropriate reference to results
the museum s existence have begun to appear.
obtained from the survey of the Kyoto International Manga
Thus, as with many manga related cultural institutions
Museum.
built for the revitalization of regional cities, wards, towns
and villages, the Tezuka Museum too has been expected to
contribute to the revitalization of the region. Also like
II. Survey Outline
many of these other institutions it has found itself in severe
operational circumstances.
The Tezuka Museum is situated in the direction of the
This paper will equally consider such operational
Takarazuka Grand Theater at the end of Flower Avenue
circumstances of the Tezuka Museum, as well as
(Hana-no-michi) about 7 to 8 minutes walk from both the
viewpoints sourced from museum staff interviews, while
Japan Rail and Hankyu railway stations. It occupies a site
presenting an analysis of visitors' survey data. That said,
of 860 square meters, with an internal floor space of 1395
the purpose here is not to discuss or offer proposals
square meters. The building itself, constructed with
towards measures of regional revitalisation, but rather to
reinforced concrete, is a level rectangle which spans 40
question the concept of whether the creation of a manga
meters east to west, and 10 meters north to south. It has
themed community cultural center can lead to regional
two floors above ground (ground/1st floor, and 2nd floor)
revitalisation so easily. In most cases discussions regarding
and two basement floors.
the management of regional cultural centers focus purely
According to the museum's pamphlet it was built in
on promotion and the question of how to attract tourists.
the image of an old European castle. In particular, the
However, the posing of such a question begs inclusion of
vicinity of the entrance is a reproduction of the royal
the viewpoint that manga related cultural institutions are
palace in Ribon no Kishi (Princess Knight), evoking the
2 The Sangyōbunka-bu Takaranomachi sōzōshitsu kankōkikaku-ka
Tezuka Osamu kinenkan. Generally, Museum administration is
linked with social education administration under the Board of
Education, or the Social Education Division etc. It is unique that
the Tezuka Museum is administered by the Tourism Planning
Division. The Kyoto International Manga Museum collaboratively
managed by the Kyoto City and Kyoto Seika University (Kyoto
Prefecture, Kyoto City, opened in 2006), was originally opened
under the Board of Education, but management was transferred to
the Industry Tourism Division in 2009.
3 Takarazuka City Municipal Industry Vitality Division
International Industry Office Heisei purojekuto Tezuka Osamu
kinenkan o kaku tosite Takarazuka no kasseika [Takarazuka
Revitalisation with the Heisei-era Project Tezuka Osamu Museum
as its core]. Hito to kokudo 21, 22(2), Kokudo keikaku kyōkai,
pp.43-45, 2007.
30
image of a town straight out of a Takarazuka operatic
theatre performance. The path leading up to the entrance
has a monument of the Phoenix from Tezuka's opus Hi no
Tori (Pheonix), and is lined with Hollywood style cement
tiles imprinted with mock hand and foot prints from the
characters of Tezuka's manga, in a trail that invites visitors
towards the building entrance.
Inside the building, the first floor (ground level) is
occupied by a permanent exhibition on the life of Tezuka
and a small cinema Atom Vision , the second floor is
reserved for the temporary exhibition space and other
Photo 1: The museum exterior view.
Photo 2: The museum entrance hall.
st
nd
Photo 3: 1 floor permanent exhibition.
Photo 4: 2 floor temporary exhibition entrance.
nd
Photo 5: 2 floor of the museum.
Photo 6: The Animation Workshop in the basement floor.
facilities (museum shop, café, Information/Animation
cards, and other related materials from Tezuka's childhood,
4
5
Monitors , Osamu Tezuka Library ), and on the first
as well as manga manuscripts and actual editions of manga
basement floor is the Animation Workshop. The
published during his life, all exhibited in science fiction
permanent exhibition displays sketch books, school report
style capsules. These capsules are a reproduction of the
stasis pods that Tezuka drew in Hi no Tori. The temporary
4 Computer terminals on which users can play games, watch
Tezuka's anime, and search for information about Tezuka. The
terminals, which are visible in photo 5, are particularly popular
with children.
5 An area covered in bookshelves containing Tezuka's manga, also
furnished with tables and chairs. The library is at the very back of
the second floor behind the Information/Animation Monitors in
photo 5.
exhibition on the second floor changes three times a year.
During the period in which the present survey was
conducted, the exhibition Osamu moet moso – Feat.Noizi
Ito was being held which will be mentioned in detail
below. The basement level Animation Workshop is a
31
hands-on workshop area where visitors can create
conducted on Monday the 2nd, and Tuesday the 3rd of
illustrations on computer, or hand draw animation.
May 2011, the second of these being a public holiday.
Additionally, figurines and pictures of the characters from
Interviews with the museum staff were also conducted at
Tezuka's works are scattered throughout the building.
this time . On Tuesday the 30th of August, 2011 an
6
The survey aimed at two objectives: to analyse the
induction session for the part-time survey staff was held,
concept under which the museum operates and has been
and the tracking was carried out over a total of five days
designed, and to observe how the visitors interact with the
during the period of the special exhibition Osamu moet
physical interior space as the result of such designing. A
moso – Feat.Noizi Ito from Thursday the 1st to Monday
tracking survey and a survey of sojourn time were
the 5th of September 2011 , as well as on Friday the 14th
conducted within the museum in order to record how long
of October, therefore encompassing weekdays as well as a
the visitors stayed inside the museum, and how they
weekend. Each day of observation, the survey team of 6
actually spent their time there. Additionally, staff
people operated in 3 teams, collecting data on-site in the
interviews were conducted in order to grasp the museum's
museum gallery spaces. The sojourn time survey was
management concept.
undertaken on Friday the 14th of October.
7
A tracking survey involves tracing the visitors path of
movement in order to examine their navigation of the
museum space. It is a traditional survey technique used by
III. Survey Results
museums. The observer draws the route taken by each
visitor onto floor plans of the target area by hand, and uses
Visitor statistics for the period of the survey are
symbols to denote places where the subject has stopped
shown on table 1. In regards to age distribution, the
and their direction of gaze. Further points of interest are
percentage of children and students only add up to about
recorded in memorandum. It is an extremely effective
10% of visitors. In spite of being a social education facility
method which allows understanding of visitors behaviour
for youths, relatively few children visit the museum. The
within the building and their utilization of the space. On
sojourn time survey conducted on the 14th of October
the other hand, this method cannot accurately measure
recorded the length of stay of 138 visitors consisting of
physical attribute data such as the age of visitors, or be
approximately 93% of the total visitors for that day of 147.
used to clearly collect the thoughts of the surveyed
The average length of all sojourns recorded was 1 hour 8
subjects.
minutes. The longest sojourn was 3 hours 17 minutes, by a
The tracking survey undertaken in this study is the
continuation of a cross-institutional survey. Thus it was
8
girl in her teens (10-20 years). The shortest sojourn was 13
9
minutes, by a man in his sixties . (Figure.1)
necessary to track the visitors throughout the entire
The above mentioned age distribution is reflected in
building, as we had already done with the previous survey
the data from the 53 collected tracking survey cases. High-
at the Kyoto International Manga Museum. Generally, in
school students and below are low in numbers. (Table.2)
the Museum Studies field, the target area of the tracking
The most highly represented group in the survey data is
surveys conducted in museums is limited to one exhibition
young to middle-age adults in their 20s to 50s. The gender
or one room, and only records the visitor movements
ratio was mostly even, and this proportion was backed up
observed within that single gallery space. However the
by the gender ratio data from the visitor sojourn time
admission ticket to the Tezuka Museum allows visitors to
survey on the 14th of October. Incidentally, less than 1% of
move freely throughout the entire building, and the rooms
the surveyed visitors were non-Japanese.
of the museum are connected via the staircase in the
The average length of stay of the tracking subjects
entrance hall rather than being independent of one another.
The museum visitor experience is related to this entirety,
and therefore tracking of the visitors paths throughout the
entire building was essential.
The survey was undertaken as a collaborative research
project by the four researchers Murata, Yamanaka,
Tanigawa and Ito with full cooperation of the museum.
Pilots of the sojourn time survey and tracking survey were
32
6 Associate Manager of the museum Yumiko Matsumoto, as well
as Museum Director Takeshi Maekawa.
7 On Saturday the 3rd of September the survey was temporarily
suspended due to bad weather caused by a typhoon. The 14th of
October was added to the survey schedule in substitute of this.
8 While the intent was to survey the sojourn time of all visitors
there were cases in which visitors declined participation or could
not be surveyed, which accounts for less than 7% of total visitors
on the day.
9 Age categories of visitors in the survey are an estimation by the
surveyors.
was 1 hour 15 minutes. The longest stay recorded was by a
architecture. After viewing the permanent exhibition, the
girl around 10 years old, of 3 hours 40 minutes. The
visitor takes the elevator to the 2nd floor rather than the
shortest stay, of 9 minutes was by a boy of around 15 years
stairs, arriving at the exit to the temporary exhibition and
old. As confirmed by the sojourn time survey data this
then views it in reverse of the intended curatorial path. This
degree of statistical scattering can be considered routine for
movement path was often exhibited by people who would
the museum.
find stairs troublesome, such as elderly visitors and those
The results of the tracking survey discern a typical
who require wheelchair access. While there was a diverse
visitor path within the building, in which visitors first view
range of movement paths which have yet to be examined in
10
the 1st floor permanent exhibition , then take the staircase
detail, we will now present a discussion of these two major
to the 2nd floor and view the temporary exhibition, and
patterns.
then stop by the other facilities such as the shop, library,
This data captures visitor movement paths, and above
and café, before taking the elevator down to the basement.
all their behaviour patterns allowing for comparison and
Figure 2 shows the archetypical path of a visitor who might
categorization. Based on this, 80% of the Tezuka Museum's
view the museum as faithfully as is hypothesised by the
visitors display the pattern identified by our research
museum. The next pattern of behaviour to have emerged
project as Museum type (M) . Central to the M type
from the data is due to a problem in the building
behaviour pattern is the act of viewing the manga in the
11
Table 1: Number of museum visitors during the survey period (NOT tracking data numbers).
Adults
Students
Children
Free entry
Total people
Tue 30 Aug
172
63.2%
10
3.7%
25
9.2%
65
23.9%
272
Wed 31 Aug
109
60.2%
7
3.9%
8
4.4%
57
31.5%
181
Thu 1 Sep
78
72.9%
1
0.9%
1
0.9%
27
25.2%
107
Fri 2 Sep (Typhoon)
52
73.2%
0
0.0%
0
0.0%
19
26.8%
71
Sat 3 Sep (Typhoon)
128
77.1%
2
1.2%
5
3.0%
31
18.7%
166
Sun 4 Sep
217
71.9%
12
4.0%
21
7.0%
52
17.2%
302
Mon 5 Sep
130
84.4%
0
0.0%
0
0.0%
24
15.6%
154
Fri 14 Oct
122
83.0%
2
1.4%
2
1.4%
21
14.3%
147
1008
72.0%
34
2.4%
62
4.4%
296
21.1%
1400
Total (8 days)
Table 2: Tracking survey data, age and gender distribution.
No. of people (%)
Age bracket
No.
Primary school and below
3
High school
5
20s-30s
Average stay length
68mins
28
40s-50s
13
60 >
4
Total
Length of stay (mins)
Fig. 1: Sojourn time distribution graph.
10 Upon entering the building, a staircase leading up to the second
floor and down to the basement is directly in front of visitors, but
the reception staff guide visitors towards the permanent exhibition
on their left.
53
Gender
No.
M
1
F
2
M
1
F
4
M
15
F
13
M
5
F
8
M
3
F
1
M
25
F
28
11 This classification is outlined in detail in case study analysis of
the Kyoto International Manga Museum survey; for details refer
to Murata Mariko,Yamanaka Chie, Tanigawa Ryuichi, and ItoYu
Visitor Survey at the Kyoto International Manga Museum:
Considering Museums and Popular Culture , Journal of Kyoto
Seika University, vol.37, 2010.
33
A Collects stamp impression.
B Looks in-depth at image of Tezuka.
C Looks over two displays at once in-depth (each
display item for about 30 secs).
D Looks at the Takarazuka theatre display for
about 1 min.
E Looks in-depth for 1 min at each.
F Proceeds as if not to look at the chronology then
just checks it momentarily, but definitely spends
much longer looking at the capsule displays.
G Takes photo of the statue of Sapphire.
H Collects stamp impression.
I Speaks with reception staff.
A Reads greeting panel.
B Looks around restlessly without looking in detail
at anything in particular.
C Looks in-depth at Tenjin Hidetaka.
D Passes straight through.
E
F
G
H
I
A Passes straight through.
B Listens to Animation Workshop staff, then views
exhibition.
C Takes photo of Tezuka.
Momentarily browses shop.
Sporadically views exhibition here.
Sits momentarily (about 10 secs).
Looks towards manga without reading.
Does not look at stairway exhibition.
Fig. 2: Tracking diagram, archetypal data.
museum as exhibition material, while moving throughout
institutions. Most manga related cultural institutions cater
the building. Manga, originally a printed and bound
towards both reception methods, with variance to the ways
medium in book format, is designed to be opened and read,
in which each is achieved and the relative importance they
but this does not mean that manga spatially positioned
are afforded. The visitor behaviour patterns that our cross-
within cultural institutions cannot be received through the
institutional study has identified in manga related cultural
exhibition medium. Indeed, while the viewing of manga as
institutions of Museum type (M) and Library type (L) is
exhibition material within cultural institutions is by rights a
directly related to the unique traits of manga related
special method of manga reception, it is practised by many
institutions.
34
Behaviour patterns observed in the present study apart
from the Museum type (M) were the Library type (L) in
which visitors primarily spend their time reading manga
Table 3: Tracking survey behavior pattern data, age and
gender distribution.
M
13 & over
43
within the building, and the Workshop type (W) in which
visitors spend the majority of their time taking part in
events, playing games and touching hands-on exhibits. Of
the surveyed Tezuka Museum visitors, there were 43 M
type visitors, 1 single L type visitor, and 9 W type visitors.
(Table.3) The proliferation of M type and scarcity of L type
L
W
Total
43
12 & under
13 & over
1
9
53
23
F
20
1
M
F
1
6
M
2
12 & under
13 & over
M
12 & under
3
F
7
13 & over
50
M
25
12 & under
3
F
28
visitors, as well an approximate 20% ratio of W type
visitors clearly indicates that the Tezuka Museum has little
museum-like behaviour. However, that does not mean that
to no functionality as a library, and performs only a partial
the Tezuka Museum can be regarded to be the same as a
interactive experience function, but that it functions as an
general museum which does not deal with manga.
A characteristic behaviour observed among visitors to
archetypical museum.
Additionally, as mentioned above, the trends of the
the Tezuka Museum was that the same individual would
tracking data indicate a large proportion of visitors take
often display different patterns of viewing the first floor
relatively the same route within the building which
permanent exhibition and the second flood temporary
suggests that the curator's path has been well set out in
exhibition.
advance by the museum. This is in contrast to the Kyoto
Many visitors were recorded viewing the first floor
International Manga Museum, in which there is no one
permanent exhibition from start to end to varying degrees,
12
typical pattern of movement .
stopping in front of specific exhibits and showing some
In way of confirmation, let us now examine the
form of response, whereas in contrast, a significant amount
differences between the Tezuka Museum and the Kyoto
of the visitors would simply pass through the second floor
International Manga Museum. The major difference
temporary exhibition.
between the two institutions is that while the Kyoto
As mentioned above, the permanent exhibition,
International Manga Museum attracts a great many visitors
extremely inline with the objectives of the museum,
who display a mixture of both the M and L pattern
focuses on the man himself, Osamu Tezuka, and introduces
behaviour, to the point that they cannot definitely be
his greatest feats. On the other hand, the temporary
13
classified as neither , 43 out of 53 surveyed visitors in the
exhibition during the period of this research Osamu moet
Tezuka Museum could be easily identified as that of the M
moso – Feat.Noizi Ito was a unique exhibition among the
type. At the same time, in contrast to the Kyoto
museums temporary exhibitions (Figure.3) which attracted
International Manga Museum where 30% of the visitors
a fan base different to that of traditional manga such as
displayed a prominent L pattern, the visitors who can be
Tezuka's; instead stepping into the territory of the genres
classified as primarily L type, or even a mixture of M and
known as moe-kei and akiba-kei . The exhibition space
L types are largely non-existent in the Tezuka Museum
featured a section displaying reworked illustrations of
(here, the L pattern should be observed at the Osamu
Tezuka's characters Tetsuwan Atomu (Astro Boy) and
Tezuka Library, the 2nd floor reading space in the Tezuka
Black Jack etc, by moe-kei artists, as well as artwork by
Museum, where visitors can sit down to properly read
books). In similarity, both the Tezuka Museum and the
Kyoto International Manga Museum attract visitors who
display W type behaviour patterns, that is, visitors who do
not pay substantial attention to the exhibits, nor do they
read manga, but rather take part in workshops, and focus
on a hands-on experience.
In summary, this confirms that the Tezuka Museum is
above all, a place which prompts its visitors to display
12 Murata, Yamanaka, Tanigawa, and Ito ibid.
13 Murata, Yamanaka, Tanigawa, and Ito ibid.
14
15
16
14 Held from the 24th of October to the 1st of July 2011. The
Osamu moet moso series of exhibitions was first held Akihabara
in Tokyo in September of 2010, and was a nation-wide
collaboration between popular artists and Tezuka productions. The
temporary exhibition at the Tezuka Museum featured stars of Moe
style illustration, with one section which introduced the original
work of Noizi Ito (who was born in Hyogo, the prefecture in
which Takarazuka City resides).
15 Moe-kei, meaning moe style. The term moe, originally derived
from the verb to bud; to sprout is a slang term used within the
anime, manga and game communities to describe a strong feeling
of affection towards something (often a character), and the
characteristic of evoking such an emotion.
16 Akiba-kei, meaning Akihabara style, refers to the otaku, or geek,
culture famously prevalent around the Akihabara district of
Tokyo.
35
environment. This reflects the most theme park style aspect
of cultural institutions that deal with manga.
Finally, we can identify that while the Tezuka
Museum deals with manga, and makes manga accessible in
the Osamu Tezuka Library, most visitors do not enter the
library space. This can be viewed as a very peculiar
situation in comparison to the Kyoto International Manga
Museum. The spatial arrangement of the Tezuka Museum
does not place emphasis on reading manga books there (to
be discussed below). When manga are included in
museums, the issue of how the manga are displayed
(through the exhibition of original artwork, character
displays, manga books as they were originally distributed
placed for reading, etc.) forms a direct connection as to
whether or not, as in this case, the visitors adopt a
primarily museum style behaviour pattern.
IV. Discussion
Fig. 3: Temporary exhibition poster.
Section three clearly outlined the characteristic
behaviour patterns displayed by visitors to the Tezuka
Museum. That is, the following four points: 1.) exhibit
Noizi Ito, an artist famous for her character designs for
viewing in accordance with the route established by the
series such as Suzumiya Haruhi no Y utsu (The
curators, 2.) high volume of photography, 3.) difference in
Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya). As previously
the viewing density between the first and second floors,
mentioned, the Tezuka Museum's entry ticket allows entry
and 4.) low significance placed on the museum library.
to both the permanent and temporary exhibitions, however
This section will undertake a deeper consideration of the
on analysis of the visitor traffic flow it becomes apparent
museum's characteristics based on the relationship between
that the number of visitors who were eager to see this
these four points.
temporary exhibition was rather low. This in itself, may
How can we interpret the fact that a large number of
seem natural based on the regular visitors to the museum,
visitors take the same route in accordance with the curator
but of particular interest is the fact that conversely, visitors
designed exhibition viewing path? For most people, to
who did display interest in the temporary exhibition were
view the museum in this manner from start to end, is
on the whole disinterested in the permanent exhibition and
assumed to be the correct method of museum visiting. As
simply passed through the first floor. (Figure.4)
a result, most visitors surveyed can be categorised into the
Visitor photography within the museum was also of
aforementioned Museum type; however, according to the
interest, and is one of its greatest idiosyncrasies. Most
sojourn time data and the behaviour notes made by the
Japanese museums (and libraries) do not permit
observer, there was a relatively large number of cases
photography, and even in cases where it is permitted,
observed in which visitors simply passed by the exhibits
visitors taking photographs are, on the whole, not a
while barely looking at them. Therefore, it can be said that
common scene. However, during the period of study, at
while the museum visitors have appreciation for the
least 1 in 3 people took at least one photo, and in most
correct behaviour in the museum, it can also be said that
cases took several photos. The primary subjects of
the museum side also expects this type of behaviour from
photography were the statues and images of characters that
its visitors. This so called correct museum behaviour
decorate the building. There were also many observations
refers to both physical and mental conduct such as using
of visitors who had come together taking photos of each
polite manners within the building (not speaking in a raised
other with the characters or in the surrounding
voice, running, or touching the exhibits), following the
36
A Looks at each picture in detail. Talks while pointing.
“The pencil lines…” “In the novel…” “This expression
of Haruhi's is cute.”
rd
Looks at bottom picture 3 from the left for 2-3 mins,
as well as top one for 2-3 mins.
Speaks to their partner about the picture.
At first one-sided (Male also talks later)
About the line work and drawing methods.
“Haruhi is really in-group. Only fans get it.”
B "When moe is overdone it doesn't look moe at all",
"Do we get something if we do the questionnaire"
Here is seemed as if they would get something.
Followed by regular conversation. 20 mins between
A and B.
C Criticises roughness of lines.
Talks about the uniforms illustrated reference book
available for purchase at Village Vanguard.
Seems interested in the depiction of uniforms.
D Stands still. “I wonder if they have the 2011
face?”
E “Kamijo Eri pictures look like Yazawa Ai's.”
F “Three-eyed One, he’s not this cool”
G “I don’t like pants fan-service much”
H “I’m surprised Murata Renji is in the exhibition”
I “Mori Chack’s work looks a lot like Tezuka’s. You
know, he started out as a street artist.”
J Gazes at picture of Haruhi solidly for about 5mins.
Criticises the way the body is drawn (proportions)
Finished viewing E-J by 4pm.
K Walks around the furnishing several times for 23mins, then goes back to look.
L Mantan Vol.28 “Cute”
M Is interested in the Haruhi manga.
N Choses temporary exhibition goods, then goes
back into exhibition room.
O Diligently choses temporary exhibition goods (78mins), buys document folders etc.
A Hands in quiz rally and receives postcard at reception desk.
Fig. 4: Tracking diagram, archetypal data of temporary exhibition focused visitor.
prescribed route, looking at the museum presented content
17
gained momentum only in modern times .
from start to finish, and therefore absorbing some sort of
Another tangible issue of the museum includes the
new information and knowledge from the museum. This is
visitors subjects of photography. The visitor photography
not necessarily consciously recognised by the individual,
and the recognition of museums as social educational
institutions and spaces for enlightenment is a belief that has
17 For example, Michel Foucault's work on behaviour from
Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison, Penguin,
1977=1975, Surveiller et punir: Naissance de la Prison,
Gallimard.
37
of characters embedded throughout the museum are
and pedagogical materials that feature tales of heroes, and
extremely suggestive of behaviour that can be observed at
life story documentaries that appear on television.
theme parks, and diverge from the correct museum
Therefore, whether the well-known figure being depicted is
behaviour as discussed above. In spite of the Tezuka
Edison, Picasso, or a manga artist, audience members can
Museum having been created with museum style spatial
be drawn into the narrative with relative ease. But many
construction, and having encouraged a museum style
visitors face a high hurdle in undertaking art museum style
visitors path, the fact that the building is studded with
behaviour that forms a direct connection between viewer
decorations which engender theme park style behaviour
and artwork as is intended by the temporary exhibitions.
from its visitors has created a environment in which spatial
Additionally, even those who have some art exhibition
navigation of the museum involves adjusting to or at times
literacy may still be bewildered by the manga contents of
confusing layers of a dual corporeality. This is illustrated in
the exhibition; or indeed, many of them may be thusly
that while photography is permitted in the permanent
bewildered precisely because of their literacy, to have to
exhibition, visitors only take photograph in spots where a
adopt this to manga contents.
character statue or image has been placed, while on the
Ultimately, if the fact that most visitors exhibit
other hand, influenced by the theme park style atmosphere,
Museum type behaviour is seen to be consistent with the
visitors commonly chat while viewing the exhibition, and
museum s desire to function as a social educational
the level of conversation is much greater than can be
facility, then adopting the so called correct museum
observed in general museums.
viewing method for the manga exhibition sections
So then, what is the significance of the duality of
inadvertently runs the risk of sending a bad message. To
correct museum behaviour alongside theme park
put it another way, as the social significance of manga is
behaviour in the Tezuka Museum?
not generally recognized in the first place, the significance
Worthy of notice, is the aforementioned issue of
of any message put forth by a manga related social
visitor density between the first and second floors. For a
educational facility is after all ambiguous by nature. As a
small scale museum such as this to have such disparity in
result of this, the message of an institution such as the
spite of its aim towards a correct museum environment is
Tezuka Museum is naturally obfuscated, and so its visitors
a peculiarity of the Tezuka Museum which brings forth the
lack the necessary framework to decode manga related
question of whether manga exhibitions in particular can be
exhibitions. Neither does the museum have the opportunity
viewed in the way of traditional museum exhibitions.
to tangibly develop such abilities through its exhibitions in
The first floor permanent exhibition introduces
the present social situation.
Tezuka in the format of a tribute to the individual, and as a
As a result of the aforementioned difference in the
result seeks to present Tezuka as a great figure to visitors
level of literacy required between the first and second floor
through the exhibition materials on display. The temporary
exhibitions combined with the building design which
exhibitions on the second floor however, display artwork
encourages a theme park style disposition toward its
curated with intent to encourage art appreciation as in a
contents, visitor behaviour which at first glance appears to
18
fine art museum and therefore has a more traditional
come under the Museum type behaviour, is in actuality,
museum aesthetic approach in anticipation of eliciting
consistently ambiguous in nature.
visitor behaviour similar to that of fine art museums.
This phenomenon is, as a matter of fact, directly
Generally speaking, visitors usually have the literacy to
connected to the scarcity of visitors who make use of the
interpret the Tezuka Museum's permanent exhibition style
museum library pointed out in the survey results discussed
of a historical figure's biographical narrative. This is
above in section three. Where the first floor focuses on
because this type of narrative is commonplace and familiar
Tezuka's personality and life, the second floor exhibition
to visitors in their daily lives such as in children's literature
and library are positioned as a junction to promote direct
contact with Tezuka's work. The temporary exhibitions are
18 Art museums are museums specializing in fine art such as
painting, sculpture, installations etc. Characteristically they
display original artwork presented with only the bare minimum
information that is required, in a white cube (a white straight lined
space without ornamentation). Visitors are assumed to be literate
in art history and in forming a direct connection with the artwork.
In most cases when museums are spoken of as high culture, the
speaker is referring to art museums.
38
designed to do so through the exhibition of artwork, rather
than focusing on Tezuka personally, and the library aims to
promote his works through direct access to his printed
manga. Nevertheless, museum literacy is necessary to
make contact with manga artwork on the second floor, and
the library merely consists of books lined up on shelves in
visitors. Should manga related cultural institution prove
a far corner of the museum. Exhibiting manga within the
itself to be a contributing institution which adds to the
museum requires more than simply lining up or
enrichment of manga culture, it should provide an
juxtaposing artwork and books with the expectation that
enjoyment of manga obtained uniquely by visiting the site.
visitors will engage with the works of their own volition.
In other words, if they were to utilize the manga for their
An exhibition that heightens accessibility to the works
resource, then some kind of resolve should be carried out
of manga themselves rather than focusing on the humanity
for manga culture itself within that process. In order to
of the artist is not easy from either a planning or reception
establish sustainable cultural institutions which have their
point of view. The difficulty of this matter lies in the very
roots in the local regions, it eventually becomes essential
format of the book as a bound medium, not to mention its
that those institutions aim to make cultural (i.e. not only
natural characteristic as a print media which is read by
economic) contributions both in width and depth.
oneself. Exhibition of this medium therefore requires new
styles of display. In short, the question of what method to
employ in exhibiting manga is compounded with the
V. Conclusion and Future Prospects
questions: what kind of media is manga presented as? And
Examination of the survey results suggests that the
subsequently, how is it read?
Along these lines, it becomes apparent that not only is
Tezuka Museum has two purposes, firstly as a social
there no established form for manga exhibitions, but that
educational facility in the traditional sense, as well as a
there is also the lingering question of how the medium of
theme park style institution with the expectation to provide
manga, which allows its readers a most intimate contact
positive economic effect, with varying degrees of effect
with artwork, is actually read in community cultural
towards each of these purposes. The expectations placed
centers. Furthermore, there remains no predicate for how to
upon the museum are in part also due to the situation in
position this manga reading behaviour within cultural
that while the museum was envisioned as a social
institutions such as museums. Certainly manga reading
educational facility for youths, it is managed not by the
takes place in spaces such as manga cafés and bookstores,
Board of Education, but by the Tourism Planning Division.
but could manga reading in community cultural centers
However, the fundamental problem facing the Tezuka
really be comparable to these facilities? A consideration of
Museum is not the contradictory nature of these two
the position of reading behaviour within museum is
purposes, but rather that they have not been sufficiently
required in order to respond to this question, in short, the
called into questioned.
issue of how regular, daily-encountered manga books are
The Tezuka Museum's exhibition framework is of
placed in the museum should be considered as of equal
depicting Tezuka as an important historical figure,
rank to the issue of how manga is displayed in exhibitions.
exhibiting original artwork, and seeking to make the
To return to the specific issue of the Tezuka Museum
visitors view contents through museum-type behaviour as a
in that visitors have little interest in the library in spite of it
social educational facility. In order to realise this, the
being the part of the museum with the most direct
behaviour of the visitors who read museum's building and
connection to Tezuka's manga. This visitor disinterest
statues as emitting a theme park message is partially
combined with the apparent lack of thought that the
restrained. On the other hand, what exactly is educational
museum itself has given to that part of the building both
about the facility is unclear. Based on this, a situation has
illustrate that insufficient attention has been directed
developed where it seems difficult to ascertain what the
towards the fact that manga are the actual artifacts of the
visitors are getting beyond theme park style consumption.
museum's collection. Naturally this problem is not unique
This state of affairs is linked to the museum's status as a
to the Tezuka Museum. The culture to display manga
forerunner for this kind of facility, as an exhibition based
within a greater public context is still at its infancy
museum that dares to exist in an age in which manga is not
throughout the country.
truly valued as having its own worth. However, now with
In fact, what can be observed from the visitors
behaviour is the fact that there is little evidence of thought
some years behind them and an increasing amount of
similar institutions arising, they are reaching an impasse.
or ideology in how manga culture is presented in the
The pursuit of this kind of public institution that deals
museum and in what disposition it is to be decoded by
with manga henceforth should be to create a framework to
39
address the above mentioned issues through experimentation,
cultural contribution, but in actuality regional revitalization
trial and error. Thusly, the Tezuka Museum needs to
though manga related cultural institutions is debated
explore solutions in developing the required exhibition
without enough consideration of alternative understandings
methods and facilities to promote transmission and
aside from economic growth of regional development and
appreciation of Tezuka's works amongst a wide audience.
cultural contribution (here specifically referring to
However it is not as though the staff who actually run the
contribution towards manga culture). As a result, there are
museum do not have aims towards a new format that
more cases where economic growth has not been realized
would solve this contradictory nature, as this was
through this means than otherwise.
mentioned plenty of times in the staff interviews.
There is a need to requestion what the very term
Ideally speaking, the original expectations of a manga
regional promotion is aiming for. Increasing tourists and
related community cultural center was for it to be a place
money to the region is not regional promotion alone. And it
that endeavored to develop ways to highlight the unique
is probably that the residents of comparatively affluent
characteristics of manga through exhibition etc. and
commuter towns such as Takarazuka have no particular
contribute to not only manga research but also a
interest in seeing their town become crowed as a tourist
revitalisation of manga culture itself. But however much
location. To these local residents regional promotion may
the Tezuka Museum wanted to experiment with ways of
be a revitalisation of communication between locals with
showing Tezuka's artwork to the museum visitors, it will
hope toward a service that satisfies intellectual desire to be
still be limited by its many structural and organizational
continually transmitted by the Tezuka Museum.
limitations. For one thing, manga are fundamentally
What is most important for cultural institution is
different from the typical contents that museums are geared
sustainability. Thus, the potential continued existence of
toward in ways that make it difficult to treat them as public
manga related cultural institutions can only exist where
goods. Within the present marketplace situation, dealing
regional promotion and cultural contribution (contributing
with commercial goods for which artists copyright is
to manga culture) as well as the sustainability of culture are
single-handedly controlled by corporations, forces
mutually related.
prioritisation of the wishes of profit orientated production
In closing we would like to express our sincere
houses and publishers.In the Tezuka Museum, the
gratitude to Associate Manager Matsumoto Yumiko,
permanent and temporary exhibitions have both been
Director Maekawa Takeshi, and all the staff at the
outsourced to Tezuka Pro; the museum staff, rather than
Takarazuka City Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum as well as
consisting of professional exhibition staff such as curators
FukuhiYoshihito of Tezuka Production Co.Ltd. for their
and museum professionals or researchers specializing in
generous cooperation.
Tezuka and his works, are expected only to manage and
operate the contents which the production house has
References
created. In other words, the Tezuka Museum staff members
Drill Project (eds.) Seichi junrei NAVI - anime & komikku.
Asukashinsha Publishing, 2010.
have no authority to manipulate the specific contents of the
museum which transmit its message, that is, the social
education potentiality of encouraging visitors to explore
manga reading, or the elements that affect the tourism
policy. In actuality, many municipal manga related cultural
institutions share this structural problem.
Even by putting up with this kind of restricted
organisational structure, the city and museum hope to make
manga the core of economic stimulus for regional
promotion. However be that as it may, the profit of one
company cannot directly lead to the economic stimulation
of a region. Here the significance of bringing manga into
the region and creating a regional manga cultural center
needs to be fundamentally requestioned.
Cultural facilities built by the city are aimed at
40
Harada, Yasuhiro Chotto ki ni naru Library 6 – Takarazuka-shi
Tezuka Osamu kinenkan Toshokan zasshi. 88(9), Nihon
bunko kyōkai, pp.698-699, 1994.
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h koku no kent : Takarazuka shiritsu Tezuka Osamu
kinenkan o jirei tosite [An Investigation of Culture and
Tourism promotion measures in Takarazuka City: The
Case of the Tezuka Osamu museum] master's dissertation,
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, 2009.
Jinbutsu Myūjiamu kikō 14 - Takarazuka shiritsu Tezuka
Osamu kinenkan - manga o bunka ni kaeta manga-ka
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This study was funded by MEXT*-Supported
Program for the Strategic Research Foundation at Private
Universities 2010-2014 and was carried out as a project
under the Kansai University Research Center for Social
Trust and Empowerment Process with the full support of
the Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum. The survey was
undertaken with the assistance of university students of
Kansai University.
* Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and
Technology
41
Visitor Survey at the Hiroshima City
Manga Library:
What It Means to Deal with Manga in Libraries
ITO Yu
TANIGAWA Ryuichi
MURATA Mariko
YAMANAKA Chie
manga o teiky suru ni wa [Special feature: Offering
manga in libraries], published in Issue 269 of Minna no
toshokan (Toshokan Mondai Kenkyūkai, 1999), hitherto
In recent years the number of cultural institutions
discussions have centered around viewpoints from which
dedicated to manga has been on the rise. Throughout Japan
to purchase manga, and how best to provide open shelf
fifty to sixty institutions that can be said to fall under this
access to the books.
thematic category have been established, but in reality they
Specialist libraries that are devoted to collecting
deal with manga in various ways. For example, there are
manga are rare, and the usual pattern of events has been
manga art galleries which conceptualise manga as an art
that manga tend to be introduced as one part of the
form, and equate it with original artwork; manga
collection of pre-existing general libraries. Around the year
museums which deal with manga related materials as
2000 the rise of Manga Studies as an academic field led to
historical artefacts; and manga artist memorial halls which
a conscious preservation of manga as a form of academic
focus on a single artist as a celebrated local figure. Yet it
research material. After the opening of the Kyoto
remains true that in most cases manga as a medium takes
International Manga Museum in 2006, the closing of the
the format of a book, and so these institutions time and
International Institute for Children's Literature in 2008, and
again are conceived of as manga libraries. This paper will
the opening of Yoshihiro Yonezawa Memorial Library of
consider a manga related cultural institution in discussion
Manga and Subcultures in 2009, discussion arose as to the
1
of its role as a manga library.
necessity for the archival of manga as a research material,
Previous research on the treatment of materials by
for example, in Issue 192 of Kindai no toshokan [Modern
manga libraries has frequently been approached from an
Libraries]. (Japan Library Association, Gendai no toshokan
educational perspective. (Ito, 2006) Furthermore, as
henshū iinkai, 2009).
exemplified by the articles of Tokush : Toshokan de
1 Our research on manga related cultural institutions with the dual
function of museum and library , and of museum and memorial
hall is discussed in the following papers: Visitor Survey at the
Kyoto International Manga Museum: Considering Museums and
Popular Culture (Murata, Yamanaka, Tanigawa, Ito, 2010); What
Do People Do in Manga Museums?: Rethinking Manga
Environment through Visitor Behaviour (Yamanaka, Ito, Murata,
Tanigawa, 2011); and Visitor Survey at the Osamu Tezuka Manga
Museum: Do Manga Museums Really Promote Regional
Development? (Murata, Yamanaka, Tanigawa, Ito, 2012).
However previous discussions concerning manga and
libraries have in general centered on how manga should be
considered and dealt with by libraries, and there has been
little reference to the reality of how visitors to these manga
libraries make use of the institutions. On the other hand,
issues related to library visitors have largely remained
limited to statistical information such as the number of
book loans and visitor attendance numbers, while visitor
Visitor Survey at the Hiroshima City Manga Library
43
experiences and motivations have rarely been addressed.
2
of manga were borrowed from the library , and the number
of library visitors has remained at about 230,000 to
II. History of the Hiroshima City
Manga Library
240,000 people every year without any observable increase
or decrease trend. In the fiscal year of 2010 the figure
rested at 241,959 people. (Hiroshima City Library 2011)
The Hiroshima City Manga Library (Photo 1 and 2)
The number of visitors to the Hiroshima City Manga
located in Minami-ku of Hiroshima city, approximately 70
Library is 369 people per square meter, placing it third
metres above sea level on the peak of Mount Hiji, is a
among the 13 public libraries in Hiroshima City. (Table 1)
public manga library which is promoted as having the
These statistics certainly indicate that Hiroshima City
predominant feature of contributing towards the
Manga Library can be considered a success in terms of
development of manga culture through the systematic
civil service, and many stakeholders interested in making
collection and preservation of manga and manga related
manga library have been keeping their eye on the library.
3
materials together with the hosting of various events .
(Hiroshima City Library 2011, 2011:79)
In 1979, in commemoration of Hiroshima City
becoming a government ordinance-designated city,
planning underwent to turn Mount Hiji into a centre of
civic culture as a forest of the arts. In 1980 the master plan
of Mount Hiji Art Park was finalised with the Museum of
Contemporary Art at its heart. In 1983, as one part of this
plan, the predecessor of the Manga Library was opened,
Hiroshima City Mount Hiji Park Blue Sky Library. It was
not a specialist manga library at the time. However, due to
Photo.1: External view of the Hiroshima City Manga Library
poor patronage the city council put forward the suggestion
to make Blue Sky Library familiar and fun by
incorporating manga and so forth (Kurui, 1998: 784) Due
partly to this suggestion Blue Sky Library was remodelled
and reopened in 1997 as Hiroshima City Manga Library.
(Kurui, 1998)
As of the 31st of March 2011, the library held 99, 488
volumes in its collection. (Hiroshima City Library 2011)
Part of the collection covers manga criticism and manga
studies publications, as well as instructional books on how
to draw manga, but the majority of publications are manga
works such as manga magazines and tankobon (collected
volumes). The library also holds several newspapers and
general magazines in its collection. According to the
library staff, in spite of the fact that the library was
Photo.2: Inside the Hiroshima City Manga Library
Table.1: Hiroshima City Library ranking according to
visitor numbers in the 2010 fiscal year.
Visitors/Floor space
2
(people per m )
Asa Reading Room
538.9
Asaminami-ku Library
406.9
times that amount in its collection and this has become a
Manga Library
368.8
major challenge in the management of the library.
Nishi-ku Library
299.0
Naka-ku Libarary
278.8
originally planned to hold 30,000 volumes, it now has three
As a public library, there is no entrance or usage fee,
and the manga can be borrowed. There is also provision for
books to be taken outside of the library temporarily to be
read elsewhere such as under the shade of the trees in
Mount Hiji Park.
In the fiscal year of 2010, a total of 453,709 volumes
44
2 In the 2010 fiscal year the total number of books loaned from
across all libraries in Hiroshima City was 5,422,659 volumes;
among this, the manga loaned came to 1,183,615 volumes.
3 The library with the highest attendance was Asa Reading Room,
a branch office of the Hiroshima City Manga Library. When
considering the fact that other libraries in Hiroshima are combined
community center facilities which can attract a certain amount of
incidental visitors, we can say that manga is a relatively high
needs commodity.
female), and age range (elementary school and below,
III. Survey Outline
middle school, 20s-30s, 40s-50s, 60yrs and above). These
were recorded along with the visitor's time of entrance and
Our research was conducted in order to consider the
exit.
issues of what sort of underlying concept is this library
The distribution of the tracked visitors is plotted in
operating from, and as a result, how visitors to the library
graph 1 according to the measured length of their sojourn,
are received within the library space. Both a survey of
with the particulars of gender and age range outlined in
sojourn time and a tracking survey of the entire building
tables 2 and 3. When compared against the distribution of
were conducted with an aim to understanding how long
visitor sojourn times which is a data of all visitors to the
visitors stayed in the building and how they spent their
library, it is safe to say that the tracking data reflect general
time there. Additionally, staff interviews were conducted in
visitor trends to this library. Most visitors spent a
order to grasp the management concept and present
comparatively short amount of time in the library, and
conditions of the library.
comprised of young and middle aged generations. Table 2
In a tracking survey undertaken for the purpose of
shows the figures from the average length of stay, as well
determining the flow of visitor traffic, the observers draw
as the longest and shortest stays recorded during the survey
the route which visitors followed by hand onto floor plans
period.
of the target area. Where the visitors stopped and where
they looked was noted down using symbols and other
ppl
points of interest were taken in memorandum. This is a
conventional method used in museum visitor surveys, and
Distribution of visitor
sojourn times for
Fri 9 Sept 2011
(220 ppl)
although rarely used by libraries we have applied it to our
research carried out in other manga related cultural
institutions and chose to also employ these techniques for
4
the present study .
The tracking survey undertaken in this study is the
continuation of a cross-institutional survey including the
Mins
ppl
Distribution of sojourn
times for tracking survey
results (69 ppl)
*2 partials omitted.
Kyoto International Manga Museum and the Osamu
Te z u k a M a n g a M u s e u m . I t w a s u n d e r t a k e n a s a
collaborative research project headed by the four authors,
Murata, Yamanaka, Tanigawa and Ito, and full cooperation
was received from the institutions. University and
postgraduate students from Hiroshima City were recruited
Mins
Graph.1: Results of the tracking and sojourn time surveys
divided by age brackets.
as surveyors and inducted on Tuesday the 6th of September
2011. The survey ran for the following five days, from
Table.2: Results of the tracking and sojourn time surveys.
Tracking survey
results
Sojourn time
survey results
Survey period
Wed 7-Sun 11
Sept 2011
Fri 9
Sept 2011
Data collected
71 (2 partial surveys)*
220 people
Wednesday the 7th to Sunday the 11th, therefore the data
collection period encompassed both weekdays and a
weekend. The surveyors were broken in to three groups (of
a total six people) for data collection. The data does not
precisely reflect the population of the library visitors, as we
did not intend to do a sampling.
The survey of visitor sojourn times was conducted on
Friday the 9th of September. The demographics of the
visitors was judged by appearance, both gender (male/
4 Tracking surveys are generally conducted in a manner in which
the visitors are unaware of being observed, therefore age and
other contextual statistics regarding the subjects are unknown, and
the researchers cannot collect data on the subjects thoughts.
However, in this case the subjects were informed of the purpose
of the survey before tracking was commenced.
Gender of surveyee
M: 41, F: 30
M: 138, F: 82
C / T / Y / A / S **
9 / 3 / 24 / 27 / 8
9 / 9 / 81 / 73 / 48
44 minutes
58 minutes
Longest stay
4 hrs, 56 mins
(Male in his 60s)
4 hrs, 44 mins
(Male older than 60s)
Shortest stay
0 mins
(Male in his 30s)
2 mins
(Male in his 40s-50s)
Average stay length
(excluding partial data*)
* Partial data represents cases in which the observer lost sight of
the surveyee during tracking.
** C: Elementary school and below, T: High school student, Y:
20s-30s, A: 40s-50s, S: 60s and above.
45
Table.3: Results of the tracking and sojourn time surveys
divided by age brackets.
Distribution of tracking All visitors to the library
surveyed visitors
on 9th September
Age bracket
M&F
M
F
M&F
M
F
t h e s p a c e m o s t r e s e m b l i n g a t r a d i t i o n a l l i b r a r y.
Nevertheless, only 5 of the 62 visitors whose movements
in the library were tracked in the present study, set foot in
this space, only 3 of whom sat down to read there. These 3
were all males in their 50s-60s who visited the library by
Elementary
school &
below (C)
9
5
4
9
4
5
High school
student (T)
3
2
1
9
4
5
20s-30s (Y)
24
12
12
81
46
35
behaviour we can surmise that the space was a regular
40s-50s (A)
27
14
13
73
40
33
spot for the visitors in question. Directly beside them lay
8
8
0
48
44
4
the display cabinets of antique manga and other precious
71
41
30
220
138
82
materials but none of the surveyed visitors looked over
60s and
above (S)
Totals
themselves. Upon entering the library they headed directly
there and sat down, then used it as a base from which they
would go to search for manga and then return. From this
them.
The fureai (contact) room (Photo 3) at the eastern end
IV. Space usage and the
characteristics of visitors
of the building is separated by a glass wall, and functions
as an independent reading space; a seated area to read
manga volumes and magazine, it houses a table and chairs.
The library is housed in a broad two story building in
Events are also held in this space throughout the year.
the shape of a folding fan. The majority of the collection is
There is also one of the glass display cabinets to facilitate a
shelved on the second floor and the administration office is
small exhibition of manga. Within the surveyed visitors 11
on the first floor (ground level). Most of the space on the
individuals entered the fureai room. These 11 visitors were
second floor, including along the walls, is taken up by
of various ages and both genders, and those who sat at the
shelves. Arranged throughout the remaining space are
desk were males of the 50-70 age range. As the newspaper
loans and returns counters, newspaper racks and database
rack is nearby there were also visitors who brought in
search terminals etc. In proportion to the number of open
newspapers to read rather than manga. Among these, there
access manga and the number of visitors, the library is a
were visitors who came to read only the newspapers, and
confined space (see table 1), and at the time of the survey
those who read newspapers, magazines and manga. The
the floor was often lined up with numerous cardboard
younger visitors to this room headed towards the manga
boxes full of manga that could not fit on the shelves. There
magazines shelved at the back of the room, and read whilst
are reading spaces on both the east and west ends of the
standing in front of the shelves or took the magazines out
second floor, and a circular sofa that seats 7 to 8 people in
of the room to read elsewhere.
the central area. Additionally, there are seats placed beside
None of the 11 visitors looked at the exhibition
shelves and under pillars in consideration of allowing the
display cabinet. The manga library defends the exhibition
maximum amount of visitors to be seated in the narrow
display in spite of the limited space available by giving it
space available. The reading spaces on either end both have
the role of an archive and information (see staff interview
display cabinets in which precious books are on exhibit,
introducing a collection of manga according a theme.
Let us now discuss the way in which the space is used
in actuality, and the behaviour of the visitors inside the
building.
The first characteristic is that the population density
within the building is not uniform. The comparatively
spacious reading spaces at the east and west ends of the
building are sparsely used, rather, the narrow spaces are
preferred and therefore become even more constrained
through congestion. In particular, the west side reading
area is situated at the furthest, most quiet end of the
building. With its large tables surrounded by chairs, it is
46
Photo.3: The east end reading space.
in the latter part of this paper), but the result shows that it
long case of 756 minutes, the average stay of the remaining
is rarely given attention by the library visitors.
9 was 56 minutes long. It can be viewed that for these
Both reading spaces at the either end of the second
visitors the library acts as a place that they search for
floor had few readers and through-traffic. The users of the
manga to borrow, more than a place for them to read
room inclined towards middle-aged and older men, thus
manga.
encompassing an age bracket and gender bias, and they
The average length of stay of the entire surveyed
spent a relatively long amount of time in the library
visitors was 44 minutes. However, as seen in graph 1, the
compared to other visitors.
visitors stay for only a short time, as over half (53%) of
In contrast to these two sparsely populated, low traffic
visits recorded were under 30 minutes. These results seem
areas on either end of the building, the remaining space
to indicate that many visitors come to the library with the
that lies between them performs various functions.
purpose of borrowing and returning manga, rather than
The circular sofa that stands in the center of the
6
reading it on site .
second floor tends to be primarily used by adult females, in
Many of the visitors observed either stood reading the
contrast to the largely male population of the reading
manga near the shelves, made round trips between the seats
rooms. One cause for this gender bias is that the book cases
and shelves, or walked among the shelves, occasionally
5
near the sofa contain series of Harlequin Comics , and it is
stopping to browse. This explains the crowding in the areas
flanked by manga magazines aimed towards adult females.
where the shelves and seats were adjoining, in opposition
A behaviour pattern was identified in which the visitors
to the expectation of the library that people would read
made multiple trips between these shelves and the sofa.
manga while properly seated. In reality the above
Numerous seats were lined up along the inside wall of
mentioned behaviour patterns were prevalent; in particular
the fan shaped building (the south wall), as were cardboard
there was a variety of observed reading styles of children
boxes containing overflow books from the shelves, overall
reading manga. For example, situations were observed in
creating a crowded space. Even the distance between seats,
which readers were told off by staff for piling manga on
and between the seats and shelves was quite short resulting
the floor beside them to sit and read, or for pushing the
in the space for people to pass by to be extremely narrow;
manga into the walls with both hands as they stood leaning
yet the readers perched there gave no indication of
against it to read. Our cross-institutional visitor survey
concern. This indicates that reading manga isolates one
conducted since 2009 across several manga related cultural
from all surrounding information and constructs a private
institutions has clearly indicated that reading manga whilst
space around the reader.
idly lying down is a characteristic behaviour. However
The reason for the high population density in the
reading manga while sitting on the floor or lying down in
library is not only that readers are crammed in throughout
the corner is generally not permitted in libraries. The
every nook and cranny of available space, but also that
library staff confirmed that children seen acting in this way
there are visitors who return frequently to the same place.
are cautioned against such behaviour. Additionally, as the
At least ten of the surveyed visitors to the library returned
building lacks the space to allow notebooks to be spread
multiple times to the same spot, interspersed with trips
out for research, exam study or doing school homework is
walking around the entirety of the central bookshelf area to
also prohibited.
the point that it became impossible to draw their paths on
The result of the spatial conditions is that there is a
the map. (See figures 3 and 5) These visitors would flick
limited activity choice between borrowing manga to read
through the books to decide whether they would read them
elsewhere or staying to read manga on site. Based on these
or not, and whether they would borrow them or not before
conditions the behaviour of visitors to the library can be
moving on to the next bookshelf. Their stay in the library
analysed according to whether or not they read manga on
was reasonably long. Of these ten cases the shortest stay
was 28 minutes and the longest was 756 minutes, the
average being 126 minutes. Even excluding the especially
5 The Harlequin series of manga are based on romance novels by
the Canadian publishing company Harlequin Enterprises. These
novels which are distributed throughout 97 countries into 27
different languages have recently also come to be periodically
released as manga editions, drawn by Japanese artists.
6 There were also 13 cases of visitors coming to the library for the
purpose of searching for manga at the database terminals.
Additionally, 30 visitors (approximately half) returned borrowed
manga during their visit. This indicates a high possibility that at
least half of the visitors to the library are returning customers.
There were also visitors who had made self notes, recording
which manga and what volumes they had already read. These are
heavy users, who make exhaustive and efficient use of the library.
They were observed holding their notes in one hand, and checking
the manga they intended to borrow against their list.
47
site and whether or not they borrow manga. These trends
they did not sit to read. Visitors who were observed to
have been plotted on figure 1, and will now be discussed.
follow this behaviour pattern were common and were
The most prevalent visitor behaviour noted in this
particularly prevalent among women in their 30s-40s.
study was to borrow without reading (behaviour pattern
The next most common pattern was visitors who read
III) of which 27 cases were observed. Figure 2 illustrates
without borrowing (I) of which 24 cases were observed. As
the path taken by one of these visitors. Their stay within
can be seen in the example illustrated in figure 4 these
the library was extremely short and their primary aim in
visitors tend to read by deciding on a place in the library to
visiting the library was simply to return books and make
use as a base and then make numerous trips to and from
use of the reservation system to borrow books which they
the shelves from their chosen seat.
had come to collect. Another example path of a visitor who
borrowed without reading is illustrated in figure 3. In this
read
case the visitor walked throughout the building in order to
14
select books for borrowing. In examples of this type the
of the books contents would for most visitors consist of
merely flipping through the book, a far cry from actually
reading and there were few visitors among this category
borrow
open books and confirm their contents. This confirmation
(II)
(I)
(III)
(IV)
Rental store
type
27
not borrow
visitors spent a comparatively long amount of time in the
library and would repetitively stop in front of shelves to
24
manga café
type
5
who sat down to read the books which they picked out
not read
from the shelves. Even in the example illustrated in figure
Fig.1: Behaviour types of manga library visitors.
3, where the visitor stayed in the library for 49 minutes,
A:
Returned books
B:
Borrowed 2 reserved books
Fig.2: Visitor pattern borrow without reading (III) [data#1]
48
Leaves child. After 2 places child s book for
borrowing in basket, and leaves child again.
F:
B:
Meets up with child.
H: 13:20-13:22 sitting, looks at book from basket.
C:
Child uses PC, 3 mins apart.
I:
A:
Child uses PC.
G: Uses PC alone.
Child puts many books (over 10) in basket.
D: PC again.
J:
Borrows 20 books at self service loans desk.
E:
K:
Asks about non-returned books.
Attempts asking about various in hand materials.
Fig.3: Visitor pattern borrow without reading (III) [data#2]
A:
Moves directly to ta bookcase and takes 3 volumes of
.
E:
13:10 leaves books and goes to use bathroom taking
only bag.
B:
10:04 sits and begins to read.
F:
13:13 continues reading.
C:
13.03 stands from chair.
G: 14:57 returns books. They do not fit in the shelf, so
leaves them lying on top of other books.
D: Returns books. Looks troubled that their space has
been taken. 13:05 picks up the next 2 volumes of
and returns to seat.
Fig.4: Visitor pattern read without borrowing (I)
49
A:
Returns 4 books.
B:
Picks up 2 reserved books.
C:
Leaves belonging on a chair and
stands to read.
D: Reads the manga
E:
Puts down book.
F:
14:54 sits down.
G: 16:00 stands from chair.
♪
H: Returns manga magazine they
have finished reading. Picks up
magazine and put it down again.
Picks up a different magaine
(
) and returns to previous
location.
L:
I:
P:
16:18 一通り読み終え返却、BLOCK
を手に取る
J:
Returns books.
K:
Picks up manga
.
Stands, reading manga.
M: Stands, reading manga by
Takahashi Yoko.
N: Checks belongings.
O: Stands, reading manga.
Picks up
.
Q: Stands, reading.
R:
Picks up
S:
Picks up
sofa.
and goes to
Fig.5: Visitor pattern read & borrow (II)
Visitors who both read and borrowed (II), that is,
pattern as manga café types. In our visitors survey of the
those who would borrow books after reading in the library
Hiroshima City Manga Library, these rental-store types
were comparatively scarce, with only 14 cases observed. In
and manga café types collectively comprised 70 percent of
the example given in figure 5, characteristically for this
the data collected.
behaviour pattern, the visitor walked all around the room
and spent a long time in the library (147mins in this case).
This particular visitor made use of the reservation system
V. Manga readers and the library
to request books for borrowing. Then walked around the
room again to browse and returned to their base with the
What can be understood from the results of the
books chosen while browsing to read for a short time
tracking survey? What kind of manga readers does the
before returning home with their reserved books.
Hiroshima City Manga Library attract, and what kind of
The least common pattern was visitors who neither
manga reading and consumption does it promote?
read nor borrowed (IV), of which there were 5 in the
Even within the field of Manga Studies, there are few
present study. They did not particularly seem to come to
studies which have attempted to understand the reader
the library with the aim of reading or borrowing manga,
from the way that they read manga and their behaviour
and did not appear interested in manga. Visitors exhibiting
related to reading. Manga readers are generally considered
this kind of behaviour mostly accompanied other people
to be a homogeneous group and that image has rarely been
who were visiting the library.
examined. Even in rare cases which the study does talk
For the purposes of this study we will refer to
about the readers, they tend to be categorized as a
borrowing without reading pattern of behaviour (III) as
stereotyped subsection attributed to fans of a particular
rental-store types , and the read without borrowing (I)
genre. However, this sort of categorization becomes an
50
obstacle when trying to discuss beyond the borders of
publications. Therefore, most visitors displayed an
content or genre selection in institutions such as Manga
indication of reading manga as information above reading
Libraries which cater to various age ranges and hold a
manga with a world view , and dismissal over memory.
variety of genres in their collection.
The reading behaviour of the visitors to the library is
Let us look into one of the rare studies that has
focused on the reading behaviour of manga readers.
to consume manga in great numbers. To apply Ishita's
classifications, the library visitors would be representative
Sociologist Ishita Saeko classifies manga readers
of the third category reading manga as information,
against two axes; that of manga reading and possession.
dismissal (III) and it can be surmised that the Hiroshima
(Ishita, 2001) (See figure 6) This first axis, manga reading,
City Manga Library is becoming an institution for readers
identifies readers according to a scale in which they display
who primarily follow this behaviour pattern. If the library
behaviour indicating those who enjoy discussing their
were to become a facility largely dedicated to readers of
opinions and viewpoint of a manga, in contrast to those
this reading behaviour then it could exclude readers
who primarily treat it as a simple source of information,
belonging to the other categories I, II and IV as they may
which she labels reading manga with a world view and
find it difficult to make use of the library.
reading manga as information respectively. The second
Naturally, the library staff are unsatisfied with the
axis examines manga consumption. Suggesting an
current situation: It is the duty of the public library to
opposing axis related to the purchase and re-reading of
present manga as culture. It should be distinguished from a
manga, as well as how the books are stored, which extends
neighbourhood manga rental store, the likes of which
between memory, storage, collection, possession and
might shelve only books which everyone wants to read ,
dismissal, disposal, lack of possession. There is no debate
claims one library staff.
that there is a predominance of readers across all of Ishita's
The library considers certain matters necessary in aid
identified categories (I to IV) and it has been
of this situation. One being in regards to the dilemma that
acknowledged that behaviour patterns attributed to all four
libraries cannot help but periodically dispose of books
categories may be displayed by a single given reader.
from their collection (the process of weeding ). As is the
As mentioned in the previous section, the observed
case with all public libraries, the manga library stored
behaviour of visitors to the Hiroshima City Manga Library
unpopular books in a closed stacks system and upon
centered around rental-store types and manga café types.
confirmation of their low rotation they were disposed of. In
In consideration of the number of books loaned and the
such an event, the staff tries as much as possible to contact
fact that most visitors showed no interest in the exhibition
manga archival institutions such as the Kyoto International
designed with the potential to enrich the manga reading
Manga Museum in search of the possibility that the
experience it cannot be said that the manga library has
materials could be preserved. In other words, they do make
been successful in prompting readers to develop further
an effort to take actions on the memory and possession
interest in manga: i.e., an interest towards repeatedly
scale wherever possible and the initial ideal of the library
re-reading the same manga, or reading manga criticism
has also been preservation.
books and other manga-related and background
They also seem to take into account the participation
of visitors reading with a world view. This can be
discerned through the treatment of the display cabinets
Read with a world view
(III)
(I)
(IV)
Memory, storage,
collection, possesion
Dismissal, disposal,
lack of possession
(II)
holding precious books in the library as the staff assert that
they are important and people occasionally come to view
the materials, not letting the displays be lost even in light
of the bookshelf space shortage.
At the same time however, it is precisely these sorts of
proprieties which enable the institution to be treated as a
library administratively and guarantees its identity as a
library, not only for the visitors but also for the staff.
Read as information
Fig.6: Ishita Saeko's manga reader categories (Ishita
2001: p.169), graphed to the same structure as
fig.1.
On the other hand, it is also an alternative to expand
the concept of the third (III) category of readers who
exhibit the reading manga as information, dismissal
51
behaviour pattern; such institution could be considered
intention, including a substantial archive and reference
beneficial to conceive a different mindset from that of a
functions. This would in turn endanger the carefree
traditional library.
atmosphere which allows visitors to encounter manga on a
According to the results of our tracking survey in the
casual level. Additionally, administrative speaking a
Hiroshima City Manga Library the minority behaviour
specialist institution would naturally be evaluated by the
pattern was of visitors who neither read nor borrowed, and
city as incapable of contributing to the local community.
as mentioned previously, these visitors were observed to
In the end, it can be said that the treatment of manga
have come to the library for the purpose of accompanying
within a library setting will always have the possibility of
another visitor. It may be possible to examine this
excluding several of the reading behaviours which are
behaviour as an extension of the manga experience so to
inherent to manga. While manga take the form of a bound
speak, in which visitors participate in activities such as
printed publication, they are a media format which does
talking about manga or relaxing in an environment
not fit into the normal library treatment of books; requiring
surrounded by manga. However that possibility is unlikely
a re-thinking of how they should be dealt with.
in the case of this institution, as rules befitting a library are
upheld, with talking prohibited and misbehaving children
cautioned. If libraries are places which allow their visitors
VI. Conclusion and Future Prospects
to gain access to a wide variety of books, and act as a
window to the world of books, perhaps such ambiguity
should be taken into account within the library space.
Based on the high number of visitors, Hiroshima City
Manga Library is often cited as a successful example of a
For example the Aritagawa-cho Lifelong Education
manga related cultural institution. In addition, it functions
Center (ALEC) in Aritagawa-cho, Aritagawa-gun of
effectively as a space to encourage reading. Even though
Wakayama prefecture is also a public library that holds a
the physical capacity of the space has been well surpassed
manga collection (or more correctly, is equivalent to a
by its visitors, this is miraculously solved thanks to manga
library). Rather than functioning as a library per se, ALEC
readers characteristic ability to mentally create a private
was established with the primary aim to create a
space as if surrounded by invisible walls. A situation which
community space with books. The spacious rooms have
causes the librarian and staff voices to fall on deaf ears at
tables and chairs that visitors can eat and drink at, while
times. As indicated by the staff interviews conducted in
7
chatting with each other and enjoying themselves.
Naturally this kind of library image is necessary in
allowing diversification of manga reading behaviour.
this study, the institution suffers from various dilemmas
typical of a library, one of which appears to be the largely
overlooked display cabinets.
ALEC boasts a high number of visitors and is gaining
In the end it is a question of what exactly the
popularity. But the driving force of this institution is after
institutional aim is of manga libraries. For example should
all, the behaviour pattern of reading manga as information,
the aim be to become a specialist information center such
dismissal and in this respect can be viewed as no different
as the Yoshihiro Yonezawa Memorial Library of Manga
8
than the Hiroshima City Manga Library.
and Subcultures, it would be difficult to allow casual
On the other hand, changing the institutional direction
public access. On the other hand should the aim be to
towards the first category of memory, possession (I) who
function as a space for the carefree consumption of manga
read with a world view would require a stronger specialist
by the wider community, it might come under criticism of
whether or not it were any different from a manga café or
7 During the conceptual planning stages for ALEC, Misumi
Osamu, the Aritagawa Social Education Division Section
Manager and later Director of the ALEC center, visited the
Hiroshima City Manga Library. He was surprised by the power of
attraction that manga has, and on the other hand also felt the
limitations of the library framework. (Interviews with Misumi
conducted by Ito, Murata, Yamanaka and Tanigawa on the 15 and
16 of Jan 2012)
8 Although this can only be stated as such when we consider
ALEC within the framework outlined in figure 1. If we remember
that ALEC was originally established aside from the juncture of
read/not read , borrow/not borrow , the institution may well
present broader discussion on manga cultural institutions
unlimited to manga libraries.
52
rental store. Either way, surely both styles of institution
have merit. Whether an institution can exist somewhere
along both vectors is not a problem exclusive to manga
libraries; indeed it applies to the very system of libraries
and also involves the issue that public awareness secures
the continued existence of libraries.
Regarding the way that manga are treated by
municipal libraries, it is administratively difficult to do
anything beyond providing a service for the community to
access manga for free that a large selection of people wish
to read. This means that conceptualising a manga library as
a public facility is not as easy as it may look.
The issue of manga libraries is however not
something that can be solved by questioning the library
system. This paper has examined manga libraries from a
broader context of how manga is dealt with by cultural
institutions. Discussing about manga related cultural
institutions of various forms will consequently shed light
on the possibilities and future forms of manga libraries.
References
Hiroshima City Library. Hiroshima-shi no toshokan (youran)
2011 fiscal year. Hiroshima City Culture Foundation
Main Library, 2011.
Ishita, Saeko. "Dare no tame no manga shakaigaku: Manga
dokusho-ron saikō." Manga no Shakkaigaku. Sekaishisosha,
2001
Ito, Yu. "Hadashi no Gen no minzokushi: Gakkō o meguru
manga taiken no shosō." "Hadashi no Gen" ga ita f kei:
Manga, sens , kioku. Yoshimura, Kazuma, and Fukuma,
Yoshiaki (Ed). Azusa Publishing, 2006.
Japan Library Association, Gendai no toshokan henshū iinkai
(Ed.) "Tokushū: Toshokan ni okeru manga no yukue."
Gendai no toshokan, Dec 2009, vol.47, no.4 (Issue. 192).
Japan Library Association, 2009.
[Visitor Survey at the Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum:
Do Manga Museums Really Promote Regional
Development?] Bulletin of the Faculty of Sociology,
Kansai University] vol.43, no.2, 2012. (English version in
Ryuichi Tanigawa(ed), Manga Comics Museums in
Japan: Cultural Sharing and Local Communities, CIAS
Discussion Paper, No.28, 2013.)
Toshokan Mondai Kenkyūkai (Ed.) "Tokushū: Toshokan de
manga o teikyō suru ni wa." Minna no toshokan, vol.269.
Kyōikushiryo Publishing, 1999.
Yamanaka, Chie; Ito, Yu; Murata, Mariko & Tanigawa
Ryuichi. "Hito wa manga myūjiamu de nani o shiteiru no
ka: Manga bunka shisetsu ni okeru raikansha kōdō to
manga kankyō o megutte." Manga Studies, vol.17. Japan
Society for Studies in Cartoon and Comics, 2011.
This study was funded by MEXT*-Supported
Program for the Strategic Research Foundation at Private
Universities 2010-2014 and was carried out as a project
under the Kansai University Research Center for Social
Trust and Empowerment Process with the full support of
the Hiroshima City Manga Library. The survey was
undertaken with the assistance of university students and
graduate program students.
* Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and
Technology
Katayama, Kuniko. "Hiroshima-shi manga toshokan asa
etsuranshitsu ōpen: Kōritsu hatsu no manga senmon
toshokan no un'ei kara." Minna no toshokan, vol.269.
Toshokan Mondai Kenkyūkai (Ed). Kyōikushiryo
Publishing, 1999.
Kobayashi, Ikuji. "Manga to toshokan: Manga toshokan no
un'ei kara oshierareta koto." Gendai no toshokan, vol.47,
no.4 (Issue. 192). Japan Library Association Gendai no
toshokan henshū iinkai(Ed). Japan Library Association,
2009.
Kurui, Hiroo. Hiroshima-shi manga toshokan no tanjō:
Manga bunka o atarashii shimin bunka ni." Library
Journal, vol.269. 1998.
Murata, Mariko; Yamanaka, Chie; Tanigawa Ryuichi & Ito,
Yu. "Kyoto kokusai manga museum ni okeru raikansha
chōsa: Popyuraa bunka myūjiamu ni kansuru
kisokenkyū." [Visitor Survey at the Kyoto International
Manga Museum: Considering Museums and Popular
Culture ] Journal of Kyoto Seika University vol.37, 2010.
(English version in Ryuichi Tanigawa(ed), Manga
Comics Museums in Japan: Cultural Sharing and Local
Communities, CIAS Discussion Paper, No.28, 2013.)
Murata, Mariko; Yamanaka, Chie; Tanigawa Ryuichi & Ito,
Yu. "Takarazuka shiritsu Tezuka Osamu kinenkan ni
okeru raikansha chōsa: Chiiki kasseika no tame no manga
kanren bunka shisetsu no jittai to zehi o megutte."
53
執筆者および翻訳者、
共同研究者プロフィール
谷川竜一
伊藤遊
1976 年、大分県生まれ。東京大学大学院工学系研究
1974 年、愛知県生まれ。大阪大学大学院文学研究科
科博士課程中退。Ph.D（工学）東京大学生産技術研
博士後期課程単位取得退学。現在、京都精華大学国
究所技術職員、同助教を経て、現在京都大学地域研
際マンガ研究センター／京都国際マンガミュージア
究統合情報センター助教。専門は日本アジア関係を
ム研究員。専門はマンガ研究、民俗学（考現学の方
中心にした近現代建築史・都市空間論。主な研究と
法論研究）。主な著書として『「はだしのゲン」がい
して、
「東アジア近現代の都市と建築」
（『岩波講座（吉村和真・福間良
た風景―マンガ・戦争・記憶』
東アジア近現代通史別巻アジア研究の来歴と展
明編、梓出版社、2006 年）
、『マンガは越境する』
（大
望』、岩波書店、2011 年）
、
『< 境界 > の今を生きる』（荒
城房美・一木順・本浜秀彦編、世界思想社、2010 年）
川歩らと共編著、東信堂、2009 年）など。
など。
TANIGAWA Ryuichi
ITO Yu
Position:
Position:
Assistant Professor（Ph.D.）Center for Integrated Area
Researcher, Kyoto Seika University International Manga
Studies, Kyoto University
Research Center / Kyoto International Manga Museum
Specialty:
Specialty:
M o d e r n A s i a n A r c h i t e c t u r a l a n d U r b a n H i s t o r y,
Manga Comics Studies, Folklore
Architectural Theory
Main Works:
Main Works:
Yu Ito, Tomoyuki Omote, Barefoot Gen in Japan:An
Arakawa Ayumu, Atsuko Kawakita, Ryuichi Tanigawa,
Attempt at Media History , In Reading Manga: Local
Junko Naito, Akiyoshi Shibata, Kyokai no ima wo
and Global Perceptions of Japanese Comics,
ikiru［Living on the Borders of Today］, Toshindo,
Tokyo, 2009.
Ryuichi Tanigawa, Higashi ajia kingendai no toshi to
kenchiku［Modern and Contemporary Cities and
University of Leipzig, 2006.
Yu Ito, Exported Japan: On Japan s Popular Culture
Policy , In Image of Japan in Europe, Vytautas
Magnus University, 2007.
Buildings in East Asia］, Wada Haruki et.al.（eds.）,
Iwanami Modern and Contemporary History of East
Asia series, Bekkan, Iwanami-shoten, 2011.
執筆者および翻訳者、共同研究者プロフィール
139
村田麻里子
山中千恵
1974 年、東京都生まれ。東京大学大学院学際情報学
1972 年、兵庫県生まれ。大阪大学大学院人間科学研
府博士後期課程満期退学。Ph.D（学際情報学）京都
究科博士後期課程修了。Ph.D（人間科学）
。大阪大学
精華大学人文学部社会メディア学科専任講師を経て、
大学院人間科学研究科社会環境学講座助教を経て、
現在関西大学社会学部准教授。専門はメディア論、
現在仁愛大学人間学部准教授。専門は社会学、マン
ミュージアム研究。主な著書として『メディア・ワー
ガ研究、韓国研究。主な著書として『ポスト韓流の
クショップ学ぶ・遊ぶ・表現する』（水越伸・東京
メディア社会学』（石田佐恵子・木村幹と編著、ミネ
大学情報学環メルプロジェクト編、東京大学出版会、
ルヴァ書房、2007 年）、『コモンズと文化―文化は
2009 年）
、
『マンガとミュージアムが出会うとき』（表
誰のものか』（山田奨治編、東京堂出版、2010 年）
、
『差
智之・金澤韻と共著、臨川書店、2009 年）
、
『ポピュラー
別と排除の今―文化・メディアが初出す排除と開
文化ミュージアム―文化の収集・共有・消費』（石
放』（荻野昌弘編、明石書店、2011 年）など。
田佐恵子・山中千恵と編著、ミネルヴァ書房、2013 年）
など。
YAMAMAKA Chie
Position:
MURATA Mariko
Associate Professor（Ph.D.）Faculty of Human Studies,
Position:
Jin-ai University
Associate Professor（Ph.D.）Faculty of Sociology, Kansai
Specialty:
University
Sociology, Manga Comics Studies, Korean Studies.
Specialty:
Main Works:
Media and Cultural Studies, Museum Studies
Chie Yamanaka, Manga, Manhwa and Historical
Main Works:
Consciousnes: Trans-national Popular Media and the
Mariko Murata, Reconceptualizing Museum Communication:
Narrative De/Construction of Japanese-Korean
A Call for Media Studies , The Bulletin of the Institute of
History , In Richter, Steffi, ed., Contested Views of a
Socio-Information and Communication Studies, The
Common Past: Historical Revisionism in
University of Tokyo, Vol.66, pp.77-95, 2004.
Contemporary East Asia. Frankfurt and New York:
Tomoyuki Omote, Kodama Kanazawa, Mariko Murata,
Manga to my jiamu ga deau toki［When Manga and
Museums Meet］, Rinsen Shoten, 2009.
Saeko Ishita, Mariko Murata, Chie Yamanaka, Popyul
karuch my jiamu: Bunka no sh sh kyoy , shouhi,
［The Popular Culture Museum Collecting, Sharing,
and Consuming Cultures］, Minerva Shobo, 2013.
Campus, 2008.
Saeko Ishita, Kan Kimura, Chie Yamanaka eds. Posuto
Kanryu no media shyakaigaku［Media Sociology of
the Post-Korean Boom］, Minerva shobo, Kyoto,
2007.
Chie Yamanaka, Domesticating Manga? National identity
in Korean comics culture , In Jaqueline Berndt &
Steffi Richter, eds., Reading Manga: Local and
Global Perceptions of Japanese Comics, Leipzig
University Press, 2006.
140
翻訳
アンケート調査・データ分析
キャシー・セル
脇田貴文
1978 年、メルボルン生まれ。モナシュ大学（オース
1979 年、愛知県生まれ。名古屋大学大学院教育発達
トラリア）通訳・翻訳学修士課程修了。
科学研究科博士後期課程単位取得退学。Ph.D（心理
現在、モナシュ大学翻訳学研究科博士過程の大学院
学）。京都大学大学院医学研究科産官学連携研究員を
生／京都国際マンガミュージアムにて研究生。専門
経て、現在、関西大学社会学部准教授。専門は、心
はマンガ翻訳研究、博物館・美術館翻訳研究。主な
理調査法、心理計量学。主な研究として、Likert 法の
研究として、
「マンガ翻訳とインターカルチャ」（2011
基礎的研究 Psychological Distance between Categories
年）。主な翻訳として、
「原画ダッシュ」
（竹宮恵子編、
in the Likert Scale: Comparing Different Numbers of
京都精華大学国際マンガ研究センター、2011 年）など。
Options （Educational and Psychological Measurement,
2012 年）
、尺度開発 Development and validation of a
symptom scale for lumbar spinal stenosis （Spine, 2012）
Cathy SELL
など。
Position:
Doctoral student, Monash University / Research Student
Kyoto International Manga Museum.
WAKITA Takafumi
Specialty:
Position:
Manga Translation Studies; Museum Translation Studies.
Associate Professor（Ph.D.）Faculty of Sociology, Kansai
Main Works:
University
Cathy Sell, 'Manga Translation and Interculture',
Specialty:
Mechademia: User Enhanced, vol.6, pp.93-108, 2011.
Keiko Takemiya, ed., Cathy Sell, trans., Genga（Dash）,
Kyoto Seika University International Manga Research
Center, Kyoto, 2011.
Psychological survey method, Item Response Theory
Main Works:
Wakita, T., Ueshima, N., & Noguchi, H., Psychological
Distance between Categories in the Likert Scale:
C o m p a r i n g D i ff e r e n t N u m b e r s o f O p t i o n s ,
Educational and Psychological Measurement, 72,
pp.533-546, 2012.
Sekiguchi, M., Wakita, T., Otani, K., Onishi, Y., Fukuhara,
S., Kikuchi, S., Konno, S., Development and
validation of a symptom scale for lumbar spinal
stenosis , Spine, 37, pp.232-239, 2012.
執筆者および翻訳者、共同研究者プロフィール
141
CIAS Discussion Paper No.28
TANIGAWA Ryuichi (ed.)
Manga Comics Museums in Japan
Cultural Sharing and Local Communities
© Center for Integrated Area Studies, Kyoto University
46 Shimoadachi-cho, Yoshida Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi,
Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
TEL: +81-75-753-9603 FAX: +81-75-753-9602
E-mail: [email protected]
http://www.cias.kyoto-u.ac.jp
January, 2013

Visitor Survey at the Kyoto International Manga Museum

Transcription

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